WINNER 2014

Active tourism

The Voivodeship Sports and Leisure Centre “Szelment”

Contents 5 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................... 6 ABOUT THE PROJECT.............................................................................................. 8 A POST-GLACIAL LAND....................................................................................................................... 16 WINTER FOLLIES........................................................................................................ 22 ON FIRST-NAME TERMS WITH TOURISM.................................................................................... 32 CONTACT DETAILS.....................................................................................................

Poland Even More Beautiful The aim of the competition “Poland Even More Beautiful – 7 Miracles of EU Funds” is to select and award the best projects related to tourism, sports and recreation infrastructure, as well as public space planning and revitalisation that have been co-financed from European Funds. The main prizes are awarded in seven categories. The project entitled “The Voivodeship Sports and Leisure Centre ‘Szelment’” is the winner in the “Active tourism” category. You are welcome to take advantage of the attractions offered by this unique place and to participate in numerous events organised by it, both the summer and winter ones.

INTRODUCTION | 5

6 | ABOUT THE PROJECT

Not only the pole of cold Opened in December 2008, the Voivodeship Sports and Leisure Centre “Szelment” is the only sports centre of this type in the north of the Suwałki Region. The idea to construct this centre grew out of the need to extend the tourist season. The research conducted by the Suwałki Chamber of Agriculture and Tourism proved the existence of favourable conditions for the development of skiing, especially on the Jesionowa Mountain. Another favourable factor is the fact of winters being long and snowy here, and the association of this part of Poland with the so-called Polish “pole of cold” is an additional incentive. The modern complex, situated at a distance of 15 km from Suwałki, is enjoying an increasing popularity among the amateurs of active leisure. In winter, tourists can use ten illuminated ski runs representing different levels of difficulty and equipped with snow-making systems. Having fun on a ropes course, climbing a professional wall, competing on the mini-golf course, playing paintball games or taking cycling tours, in turn, are the attractions offered to tourists in summer.

Project: Establishment of the Voivodeship Sports and Leisure Centre “Szelment” on Jesionowa Mountain on Szelment Wielki Lake in the Communes of Szypliszki and Jeleniewo – Phase I Beneficiary: Podlaskie Voivodeship Location: Szelment, Podlaskie Voivodeship Programme: Integrated Operational Programme for Regional Development, 1.4 Development of tourism and culture Project value: approx. PLN 14.3 million EU Subsidies: approx. PLN 6.1 million

ABOUT THE PROJECT | 7

Two types of facilities VSLC Szelment can accommodate the total of 39 guests. In the so-called lower facilities there is a restaurant that can hold 100 people and two conference rooms furnished with audio-visual equipment. By contrast, in the upper facilities there is a fast food restaurant called “Bacówka”. In 2014, the opening of a water ski lift is planned. The centre will become the only one in which water skiing (on the Szelment Wielki Lake) and downhill skiing (on the Jesionowa Mountain) can be practised.

8 | A POST-GLACIAL LAND

A POST-GLACIAL LAND | 9

10 | A POST-GLACIAL LAND

Extreme sports In summer, Szelment tempts tourists with numerous attractions, for example, having fun on a ropes course. A POST-GLACIAL LAND | 11

A year-round season In summer, you can, among other things, play a golf game on a mini-golf course, climb a rock or plan cycling tours. 12 | A POST-GLACIAL LAND

A POST-GLACIAL LAND | 13

14 | A POST-GLACIAL LAND

The suit of the ski king The fans of winter sports will definitely not be indifferent to the permanent exhibition devoted to the history of skiing in Poland, “From Marusarz to Małysz and Kowalczyk”. It is the first exhibition of this type in Poland, and one of its originators is Wojciech Fortuna, a  Sapporo Olympic champion. The exhibits gathered here include, among others, Adam Małysz’s, Tomasz Sikora’s and Justyna Kowalczyk’s skis, and the number bibs and the suit in which the most famous ski jumper from Wisła competed in the World Cup, as well as archive sports photos and replicas of Olympic medals, including the gold one won by Wojciech Fortuna.

A POST-GLACIAL LAND | 15

A ravine for the courageous ones In winter, guests are offered ten illuminated ski runs that are equipped with snow-making systems, maintained with the use of snow groomers and serviced by eight ski lift s. The ski runs representing different levels of difficulty can be used by both adults and children. The children’s ski run is serviced by a belt ski lift with a length of 80 m.

16 | WINTER FOLLIES

At VSLC Szelment, there is a  well-equipped ski gear rental shop and a  service station, and in summer tourists can use the services of a bike rental shop. Both skis and snowboards can be adjusted to the skiers’ and snowboarders’ individual needs and skills.

WINTER FOLLIES | 17

18 | WINTER FOLLIES

Winter sports Because of the post-glacial relief and frosty winters the skiing season is very long here.

WINTER FOLLIES | 19

20 | WINTER FOLLIES

The alphabet of ski lifts Ski runs are serviced by eight alphabetically-marked ski lift s: • A  and B – parallel button lift s servicing a  very difficult “Black” ski run and providing transport to E and H lift s by the “Blue” run and the snow park. • C – a lift servicing two “Red” ski runs. • D – a lift servicing two “Red” ski runs. • E – a lift servicing the “Blue” ski run representing a medium level of difficulty, with a length of around 400 m. • F – a horizontal ski lift with a length of 100 m. • G – a lift for the beginners polishing up their ski skills on the nursery slope. • H – a lift dedicated for people using the snow park.

WINTER FOLLIES | 21

“Sticks” and “planks” teachers In winter, at VSLC Szelment, there is also the Ski School “Strefa”. Here, qualified instructors run skiing (skis are colloquially called “sticks”) and snowboarding (snowboards are colloquially called “planks”) classes, as well as classes devoted to skiing between poles and carving buoys. The school’s offer includes both individual and group courses for children, young people and adults. All the classes are conducted on a  specially adapted and secured training field, equipped with an electronic time measurement system.

22 | ON FIRST-NAME TERMS WITH TOURISM

ON FIRST-NAME TERMS WITH TOURISM | 23

Time to learn On a specially prepared and secured training field, qualified instructors run skiing classes.

24 | ON FIRST-NAME TERMS WITH TOURISM

ON FIRST-NAME TERMS WITH TOURISM | 25

26 | ON FIRST-NAME TERMS WITH TOURISM

Something for the kids Having the youngest enthusiasts of snow sensations in mind, the Ski School “Strefa” every year opens the Skiing Kindergarten. A safe area, a comfortable belt conveyor, colourful toys and devices, as well as experienced instructors – all this allows parents not to worry about their kids.

ON FIRST-NAME TERMS WITH TOURISM | 27

28 | ON FIRST-NAME TERMS WITH TOURISM

“Tour de Ski” of the Suwałki Region The “Pole of Cold Cup International Cross-Country Skiing Race” is one of the major events organised by VSLC. Its participants include skiers not only from Poland, but also from abroad, e.g. from Lithuania and Belarus. The major item on the agenda of this ski tournament, which is divided into four age categories, is the senior main race over a distance of 10 km, in which any style is allowed. Those who do not take an active part in the tournament are offered prize games and competitions with good music being played in the background.

ON FIRST-NAME TERMS WITH TOURISM | 29

Cyclical events in Szelment • February: “Marshal of the Podlaskie Voivodeship Cup Giant Slalom” • February: “Staroste of the Suwałki Poviat Cup Giant Slalom” • February: “Family Cup” tournament – the Podlaskie Voivodeship and Lithuania qualifying rounds • February: “Pole of Cold Cup International Cross-Country Skiing Race” • March: “Mayor of Suwałki Cup Giant Slalom” • March: “Polish Cross-Country Skiing Junior Championship” • March: “Downhill run on anything” tournament • March: “Spring Cup Parallel Slalom”

30 | ON FIRST-NAME TERMS WITH TOURISM

ON FIRST-NAME TERMS WITH TOURISM | 31

Las

MAP LEGEND Blenda J. Kościelne National roads

Rakówek 8

Przerośl

Izba Regionalna Regional roads Kolonia

652

Olszanka -Małe

Police stations

Krzywólka Railroad

powska

Built-up areas

kie

Water bodies

Historic Orthodox churches

Poviat borders

Other architectural monuments 652

Ros p u d a

Airports -Dębszczyzna

Major cycle trails

j. Ożewo -Str. Turówka-Nw. Str. Chmielówka

Góra

Campsites

Zusno

Góra Horse riding centres

Waterways

Matłak Nw.Map scale 5 -Skazdub Str.-

Major summits and their heights above sea level

Szczecinki

Osinki

-Nw. Okuniowiec Muzeum Okręgowe

Cmentarz siedmiu wyznań

Borawskie

Sokołowo

skie

Przebród

653

fortyfikacje

j. Sumowo Bakałarzewskie

32 | CONTACT DETAILS

-Folwark Zajączkowo-

Nw.Str.-Kamionka

Orłowo

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Bród-

Słupie

Klonowa Bakałarzewo Góra Maryna

Węgielnia

Rez. Cmentarzysko Jaćwingów

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Published by: Ministry of Infrastructure and Development, Warsaw 2014 Graphic design and map compilation: Mac Map / Mariusz Mamet Valid as of – April 2014

Borawskie Mł.

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Białorogi

Potasznia

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Bathing areas / beaches Bartnia

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Wołownia

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Major walking routes

Plewki

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Czarnakowizna

Other points of interest

0

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Góra RejmanaSzury ury 242 Góra Jasionowa 251

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J. Jemieliste

Filipów III

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Major horse riding trails

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Szurpiły

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Wysoka j. Szelment Szypliszki Mały Fornetka

Przejma Mała

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Museums

Wólka J. KamienneSwamps / wetlands

Filipów

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Forests J. Białe Filipowskie

Bachanowo

Krajobrazowy

ŁanowiczeHotels Nowaj. Zusno

Czostków

Rospuda

Park

Wodziłki

Fire stations

Romanówka

Góra Cisowa

Molenna Góra Zamkowa staroobrzędowców

Healthcare centres

Other hard-paved roads

Filipów IV

Rez. Głazowisko Bachanowo

Car parks

Przerośl

Rez. Głazowisko Łopuchowskie

jezioro w Polsce 108,5 m

Petrol stations

j. Sumowo Gulbieniszki

Udziejek Łopuchowo

Przełomka najgłębsze Hańcza

Molenna św. Mikołaja ratusz z XIX w. Muzeum im. M. Konopnickiej

SUWAŁKI

Mł. Huta

J. Koleśne Ka m ionk

J. Krzywe Wigierskie Krzywe

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Zielone Kamedulskie

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Muzeum Etnograficzne

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Oszkinie Szlinokiemie

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Sitkowizna

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Ogórki Wojtokiemie Nowinki

j. Sejwy Sejwy

Pokomsze

Wesołowo j. Boksze -Osada

Rejsztokiemie Smolany

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Kaletnik j. Kaletnik

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j. Gremzdel

Tel. +48 87 567 07 08

ha yc

Jeglówek

Rez. Ostoja Bobrów Marycha

E-mail: [email protected] www.wosir-szelment.pl

Czarna Buchta

Krasnopol

Żubronajcie

trołuża Wia

ka

Jegliniec

j. Jegliniec Piotrowa Dąbrowa

Szelment 2 16-404 Jeleniewo

Linówek

pniak

Murowany j. Szejpiszki Most

Rudawka

Wiatrołużna

Żwikiele

Wojewódzki Ośrodek Sportu i Rekreacji Szelment (The Voivodeship Sports and Leisure Centre “Szelment”)

J. Długie Krasne Krasnopolskie j. Żubrowo Rumieńkiń

j. Pierty

Aleksandrowo

Smolany Dąb

wo

Muzeum Wigier

zewek

RSKI

Tartak Stary Folwark Wigry

j. Dowcień

Czerwony Folwark Rosochaty Mikołajewo

j. Gremzdy Gremzdy Polskie

Głuszyn

J. Głuche Buda Ruska j. Jurkowo Maćkowa Ruda J. Miałkie Jeziorki

CONTACT DETAILS | 33

Publisher: Ministry of Infrastructure and Development ul. Wspólna 2/4, 00-926 Warsaw Department of Information and Promotion Tel. +48 22 273 74 00 www.mir.gov.pl www.funduszeeuropejskie.gov.pl

ISBN: 978-83-7610-487-4

Producer: Smartlink Sp. z o.o. ul. Zjazd 2/4, 60-653 Poznań Tel. +48 61 849 90 40 E-mail: [email protected] www.smartlink.pl

Co-ordination: Joanna Gontarz Editing: Joanna Gontarz, Iwona Gutowska Graphic design: Nina Dereszewicz-Nowacka, Maciej Pachowicz Page layout: Maciej Pachowicz Texts: Robert Robaszewski Photos: Stanisław Roziewski Translation: KR Translations, www.krtranslations.pl Proofs: Terence Riley

Free copy Publication co-financed by the European Union within the Technical Assistance Operational Programme