Medeu to close for several years: what will change at the iconic skating rink

Tengrinews.kz – The famous Medeu ice rink in Almaty will undergo a large-scale reconstruction that will last several years, according to the city administration’s press service.

Preparation works are already underway, and fencing around the site will soon be installed. Officials emphasized that the historical appearance of Medeu will be preserved throughout the renovation.

“The project includes the installation of new ice refrigeration equipment, a complete replacement of engineering systems, and gasification of the complex. An AI-powered real-time ice monitoring system will help reduce energy consumption by 25 percent. Heated seats with individual temperature control will also be added,” the akimat reported.

The hotel located in the eastern wing will be redesigned to meet four-star standards, while a new rehabilitation center for athletes and guests will feature saunas, massage rooms, and a medical unit.

An eco-park will be created around the rink, along with two new pedestrian bridges — east and west — connecting the main facilities with new recreational areas.

The project also provides for planting new trees and shrubs adapted to the local climate.
The full reconstruction is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2027.

Earlier, the Almaty city administration announced that renovation works will take place between 2025 and 2027 under an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) contract — a model in which a single contractor is fully responsible for the project’s design, procurement, and construction, as well as for meeting deadlines and quality standards.