Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who is currently facing sanctions from the EU and UK, is increasing his presence in southern Russia.
Recently, his organization bought a piece of land in Gelendzhik with a stadium near the sea. Now, it's looking to acquire a hotel, land on the coast, and potentially the biggest water park in Russia.
Will “Golden Bay” turn into a shelter?
The Zolotaya Bukhta water park, located on the Black Sea coast, is considered the largest open-type water park in Russia. It was established in 2004 by Alexander Peterman's company.
There are talks about Roman Abramovich potentially buying the water park in Gelendzhik after showing interest in commercial real estate there in 2021. He recently established South Estate, a real estate management company, in the same area.
Alexander Peterman, a well-known businessman and politician from Nizhnevartovsk, is the owner of the Slavtek-South company, which owns the Zolotaya Bukhta water park.
Abramovich's Finestate Co., owned by Millhouse holding, bought the Kristall hotel-boarding house in Gelendzhik in December 2021. This was previously owned by the family of the former mayor of Gelendzhik, Sergey Ozerov. It also acquired the Gavan joint-stock company, which owns a 2.2-hectare land plot with the inactive Spartak stadium near the sea.
The source believes that “Golden Bay Water Park, given its location and vast area occupied, can become the next asset.”
Anticipating Chukotka 2.0
There are rumors circulating among locals that the Golden Bay might be owned by the former governor of Chukotka. Some are looking forward to it.
The water park is located near an area with a house believed to be Abramovich's. Locals refer to it as “Abramovich's house”, even though it's just neighboring land separated by an abandoned area. Some residents see potential for significant investments and job opportunities.
Approximate division of territories between Tourist Street and the shoreline
It's possible that the water park could be dismantled if the deal goes through, as was the case with the Dolphin water park in 2020. Although it was scheduled for demolition, it remains standing with a sale sign on the fence.
The company “Slavtek-South” told the publication's reporter that the water park “operates and grows.” In the official public of the “Golden Bay” on the social network “VKontakte,” they also said that “the water park has no plans to stop its operations.” The administration of the resort city did not provide any comments on the potential closure of the complex.
Some people fear that the “Bay” will be destroyed, there are also rumors to that effect. But we hope that's not true. This is still one of the city's attractions, – Elena adds.
Visitor feedback regarding the water park “Zolotaya Bukhta”
However, the water park still faces some issues. In the “Golden Bay” public, there are highly critical reviews from visitors. Additionally, a telegram channel mentions that over the years since the complex opened, many rides and utilities have become outdated and need modernization. The channel's authors state that the water park's owner was seeking co-investors for renovation. They also mention a study that suggests “the most effective way to modernize the Golden Bay is to completely demolish the water park and build a new, modern one.”
Pause in the improvement process
If Abramovich were to purchase the water park, it would be great if it were not destroyed, but rather renovated and kept for both us and tourists. Unfortunately, there are doubts, – shared Gelendzhik resident Peter.
He mentioned that recently, as part of the national housing and urban environment project, a vote was held among the townspeople to determine the best way to improve the city. This included several areas, such as the territory from Turisticheskaya Street, 23, to the city's embankment. The result revealed that the project was not included in the program.
Nikolay Puzhay, a deputy of the Gelendzhik resort city Duma, oversees the project on the official website of the “Formation of a comfortable urban environment” voting. He told Oktagon that the decision not to implement the project was due to:
When the project won the improvement vote, prices for building materials increased, causing contractors to exceed the approved estimates. Due to this, it was not included and will now be resubmitted for a new vote.
The “Boulevard on Turisticheskaya Street” project was not included within the national “Housing and Urban Environment” program
Peter believes that while the voting was taking place, the fate of the territory could have been decided differently and soon it may also come into private ownership. Additionally, this site naturally fits into the territories already acquired and potentially earmarked for acquisition by Abramovich.
Why was all this voting performance necessary? And how can we trust that the water park will not be taken away from us? It feels like Touristskaya Street in Gelendzhik is simply becoming a version of Rublyovka near Moscow. However, the promised project, for which we voted, offered the chance for an easy path to the sea from Turisticheskaya Street for ordinary people,
Will Peterman make a deal?
As for the possibility of ceding one of the main assets of Alexander Peterman in Gelendzhik to Abramovich, according to sources familiar with the biography of the Nizhnevartovsk businessman, such a decision can be made by him due to the fact that his key interests are still concentrated in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug.
The entrepreneur started his business in Nizhnevartovsk in the 1990s. In 1993, he founded the Slavtek corporation, which to this day owns several important enterprises for the city, such as a bakery. In the mid-1990s, according to media reports, he controlled the oil production enterprises of Nizhnevartovskneftegaz.
In 1996, Peterman was first elected to the City Duma. Since July 2005, he headed the council of the local branch of the Rodina party. During all this time, not without success, he tried to maintain political influence and still seeks to return to power structures. The source of the publication in the region suggests that this time Peterman decided to focus on political activities and is ready to sell the Gelendzhik water park, especially since the deal may turn out to be mutually beneficial.
