For work and leisure of JINR employees

On 25 November, a joint meeting of the JINR Science and Technology Council and the Council of the JINR Social and Infrastructure Development Projects Programme was held at the International Conference Centre. At the beginning of the meeting, STC Chair Elena Kolganova proposed a moment of silence in memory of renowned scientists and pioneers of scientific fields, RAS Corresponding Members E.A.Krasavin and S.N.Dmitriev. This is an unexpected and irreparable loss for the Institute and for many of its employees.

The main topic on the meeting's agenda was the development of social infrastructure of JINR. A detailed report on this topic was presented by JINR Vice Director Latchesar Kostov. He began by listing the departments involved in construction, renovation and improvement: the Department of Science Organization Activities, the Chief Engineer's Office, the Chief Scientific Secretary Office, the Property Complex Development Department, the Capital Construction Department, the Social Infrastructure Management Office, the Hotel and Restaurant Complex Management Office and the Chief Power Engineer's Department. The speaker then provided a detailed report of each social infrastructure facility that has been renovated or currently undergoes renovation.

The territory of the Resort Hotel "Ratmino". It is the largest project having been implemented in recent years and is expected to be completed in the next few years. The design and construction of "Ratmino" has lasted 20 years and the complex was developed as a dual-use facility - a pioneer camp for children and a health resort for Institute employees. It has served this purpose for about 15 years since 1990. At a 2023 meeting of the JINR Social and Infrastructure Projects Programme Board, JINR Directorate recommended developing this territory as an apartment complex for temporary accommodation of highly qualified specialists. Due to the dire housing situation in our city, a shortage of official apartments and the launch of the NICA complex, difficulties are expected in providing official housing for the large number of specialists arriving for experiments. Work on a master plan for the development of this territory began a year and a half ago.

Preparatory work for the construction of the new hotel building has already started. The foundation of the old, unfinished building has been demolished and engineering surveys have been completed. A tender process to select a contractor is underway. If construction begins in February of next year, a three-story building will be built on the boarding house's grounds by May 2027, with 4 one-bedroom suites, 25 two-bedroom suites and 3 three-bedroom suites planned.

Currently, a major overhaul of water and heating mains has been completed, commissioning work following the reconstruction of the sewage pumping station, as well as a major overhaul of the roof and facade of the administrative building are underway in "Ratmino". Extensive survey and design work are currently carried out, too.

JINR Cultural and Historical Complex. It has been decided to establish an international interdisciplinary museum in the two-story building on Mir Square (14 Sovetskaya), with human-centered exhibits. The goals of the new museum are to explore and popularize JINR's scientific and technological achievements, to foster an attractive image of scientists and engineers and to introduce researchers to their working and living conditions.

Sketch of one of the halls of the Cultural and Historical Complex

Engineering surveys have been completed for the building's renovation, a preliminary design for the public and functional areas of the new space has been developed and staffing, digitalization and preparation of temporary exhibitions are underway. The installation of the exhibit and delivery of equipment are scheduled for next summer. Completion is scheduled for November 2026, with the museum opening in December. The JINR Science and Technology Museum that has functioned since 1993 will be transformed into a Children's Centre.

The Exhibition Hall is currently developed to complement and to expand this complex. It will be located on the second floor of the International Conference Centre, where the cafeteria formerly stood. The total area of the hall is 700 square meters. Exhibitions about the scientific achievements of JINR and the global scientific community through artistic research will be held here to popularize scientific knowledge through dialogue with Dubna residents and visitors. In addition to the exhibition area, there will be a lecture hall, an art residency area (a space for work and dialogue with invited artists) and relaxation and social areas.

Work on this project has been ongoing for two years. The second-floor premises have been completely dismantled, partitions have been erected, the floor and ceiling have been finished, ventilation and heating systems and also doors have been installed, the glazing and flooring have been replaced. Furniture and equipment are currently purchased.

VBLHEP canteen and checkpoint. Extensive work has been carried out to improve the area adjacent to the VBLHEP checkpoint at 4 Baldin Street, including expanding the bus turnaround. By May of next year, there will be a paved parking lot for 181 vehicles, new outdoor lighting and storm drains, bus shelters, parking lot fencing and sidewalks.

The second project of VBLHEP is the modernization of the cafeteria. The design is complete, the working documentation has been prepared and renovations will begin soon.

SPA & Resort Hotel "Dubna" in Alushta. In 2024, a series of projects started to improve the quality of our employees' recreation. A swimming pool and playgrounds were built, a sauna is currently installed and a gym will be installed after renovations. Next year, the demolition of Building No.1 and roof repairs on the clubhouse-dining room will be carried out.

Lipnya Tourist Resort. This year, construction of a staff house was completed, children's and exercise areas were installed, the main pier was renovated with lighting, scenic park swings were installed, the southern wing of the main building, with two luxury rooms and a pier for small boats was renovated and a security post was established.

Cultural Centre "Mir". Last year, a project was developed that included a major renovation of the Great Hall. Due to the auditorium's cultural and historical significance, a contract is currently negotiated with a specialized design company aimed at refining the design documentation to ensure that the hall's historically significant design elements are preserved as much as possible. At the same time, plans include replacing utility systems, upgrading fire safety and equipping the hall with advanced media equipment.

JINR Yacht Club Dock. This year, the Club's buildings, utility lines and lighting were replaced, the shoreline and grounds were improved, design and estimate documentation is currently developed. Completion of the modernization is scheduled for next year.

Layout of the Yacht Club Dock

Layout of the Hall of the Sports Club

In the Sports Club, renovations are underway: the gym and locker rooms, the weightlifting and kettlebell lifting room, the hall, the sauna, the lounge and two staircases. All utility systems are currently replaced. Completion is scheduled for 2026.

Courts near the Swimming Pool "Archimedes". The fencing has already been replaced, the previously missing lighting has been installed and the locker rooms, bleachers and sports equipment have been replaced. A basketball court will be installed next year.

At the Stadium "Nauka", the transit heating main will be relocated next year and the grounds will be landscaped.

Recreation Centre "Volga". At the beginning of the year, an agreement was signed with the Higher School of Economics to develop a concept for the development of the territory for the benefit of JINR, followed by a phased implementation of the project. The key principles include preserving the pine forest on the site, maintaining the spirit of a children's camp and using affordable, environmentally friendly solutions.

The Hotel and Restaurant Complex "Dubna". As it is known, a major renovation of the restaurant's dining and banquet halls, bar, storage and utility rooms has been completed and kitchen equipment, furniture, textiles and tableware have been purchased. The restaurant opened to the public earlier this year. The hotel currently undergoes renovations and refurbishment.

Following the report, questions were asked about employee housing, the use of buildings at the Stadium "Nauka", the problem of long lines at the DLNP cafeteria, the situation with the Chernorechensky Forest, the condition of the sites after emergency repairs and the storage conditions for the newly established Historical Archive.

The meeting participants thanked Latchesar Kostov for his detailed report; several meetings were held daily during a week to gather this information. Finally, a general overview of the renovation and construction work was presented, along with layouts of the future premises and buildings. In conclusion, JINR Scientific Leader Victor Matveev emphasized the enormous work carried out in recent years to create comfortable living, working and leisure conditions for employees and thanked everyone involved.

Galina MYALKOVSKAYA