Time capsule laid at ceremony for construction of new RSU sports complex

The next phase in the construction of Rīga Stradiņš University’s (RSU) upcoming sports complex commenced on Wednesday, 16 April. The occasion was marked by the laying of a time capsule containing messages for future generations. The building, located at 3 Cigoriņu iela, Riga, will be a modern, multifunctional sports centre with a total area of 3,627 square metres, including a sports hall, as well as facilities for training, exercise and fitness, which is scheduled to open in the summer of 2026.

The development of the complex is intended to expand the University’s sports infrastructure for the benefit of students, staff, and researchers. At the same time, it will offer opportunities for professional athletes and individuals committed to an active lifestyle. This year marks the 75th anniversary of RSU, and the University continues to purposefully invest in modern infrastructure to support the study process. In 2023, RSU unveiled the Pharmaceutical Education and Research Centre – the largest construction project in the University’s history to date. The upcoming sports complex will likewise be one of RSU’s most significant projects, providing valuable support for students and academic staff, while also promoting active and healthy lifestyles within society.

Hosam Abu Meri, Minister of Health, attended the event and congratulated those present: 

‘I am truly pleased with the consolidation of RSU and the Latvian Academy of Sport Education – the fields of sport and healthcare have finally been brought together under a single, sustainable policy. We have moved beyond viewing sport purely as competition – it must become an integral part of our daily lives.

This new sports complex will serve as an important resource not only for the RSU community, but for Latvian society as a whole. It will stand as proof that movement, a healthy lifestyle, and knowledge can coexist – all contributing to the well-being of our people today.’

RSU Rector, Prof. Aigars Pētersons, also addressed the attendees: ‘The new RSU sports complex on Cigoriņu iela will be more than just a building – it will be a place where sport, science, innovation, and community come together.

This is one of the largest development projects in RSU’s history – a testament to RSU as an open, European-level university that cares not only about knowledge, but also about people’s health and physical well-being.’

Luīze Monta Remese, Chairperson of the RSU Student Union, praised students for their involvement in the design process of the building and noted: ‘The new sports centre is not intended solely as a place for professional athletes to train. It will be a space for us to unwind after long days of lectures – a place where we can recharge, connect with other students, get moving, and simply be together. This is an investment not only in today’s students, but also in all future generations.’

Rolands Orlovskis, Chairman of the Board at SIA Selva Būve, remarked that a sports centre of this scale is not merely a technical undertaking: ‘It is also an architectural challenge and an opportunity to enhance the urban environment. We believe this building will become a scenic landmark, integrating harmoniously with the surroundings of Arkādijas Park and inspiring its visitors. The time capsule we are laying today is a message to future students about today’s values and what matters to us at this point in time. As developers, we take pride in being part of this story.’

The construction of the new facility is funded through RSU’s revenue, while the indoor and outdoor equipment required for the study process will be purchased with support from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. The estimated construction costs are EUR 8.61 million, excluding VAT.