The builders of the Gargždai sports and entertainment complex honored the Lithuanian tradition of raising the graduation wreath

A modern sports and entertainment complex is rapidly emerging in Gargždai on Darius and Girėnos street. On Friday, the contractors raised a graduation wreath on the roof of the building marking the end of the construction work at the UAB “Infes” construction site and invited the leaders of the Klaipėda District Municipality, Council members, and partners to the traditional graduation ceremony. In Žemaitia, it is called “kazilinie”. There is still a lot of work to be done in the future, and according to the contract, the end of the construction works is scheduled for August 2025.

He was happy with the visible changes

The graduation crown speaks of an old Lithuanian tradition: the joy of the builders that the main construction works have been completed, the rafters – construction structures that support the roof – have been built. But once this construction phase is marked, the work does not end.

‎‎Usually contractors consider raising the wreath as a matter of honor – to announce that construction is coming to an end. According to tradition, if this is not done, the neighbors hang a pig instead of a graduation wreath. In this case, the neighbors did not have to do it.

It is common for the contractor to wish the building strength so that it will last for a long time. Infes General Director Arvydas Markevičius thanked everyone who contributed to the implementation of the project. “The wreath laying is a tribute to our staff, team and everyone who contributes – this is their celebration.” We have reached the highest point in the construction of this building, the company always tries to mention the beginning, middle and end”, said A. Markevičius.

Klaipėda District Mayor Bronius Markauskas was happy that the contractor not only fulfills contractual obligations very responsibly and the planned works do not fall behind the schedule, but also does not forget traditions. “Kazilinje is always a joy, because you can already see the volume of the building. We are glad that the construction of the complex has the support of the residents, our goal is to complete the multi-purpose construction as soon as possible. Thank you for remembering, respecting traditions and commemorating the important end of the stage”, said the mayor.

The director of the municipality’s administration, Sigitas Karbauskas, wished success and strength to continue the work, as the project is extraordinary. He was seconded by the project manager, director of the Gargždų sports center Vaidas Liutikas. Infes project director Mantas Šalčius also thanked his team and the Municipality: “I would like to thank my excellent team for their wonderful work, if it continues – we will topple all the mountains, the workers who did the most difficult work, the Municipality, project owners, managers – for their constructive cooperation, we move forward only with their point of view. Also to the designers for the vision and everyone who contributed.”

Unique spaces for sports and recreation

UAB “Infes” organized a tour of the Gargžda modern sports and entertainment center complex, which will consist of two buildings, for the participants of the graduation ceremony. The participants of the tour did not hide their surprise when they saw with their own eyes how much has already been done, what unique spaces will surround the visitors of the complex.

The Gargždai multi-purpose sports center project is also distinguished by the designers’ attention to more interesting architectural solutions. As the designers themselves name, the architectural idea of ​​the project is to combine separate volumes into a single entity. The outer contour of the facade surface is transformed into a unifying shield, and transparent textures are chosen for the main partitions of the interior spaces. All this creates a modern, architecturally distinctive style of the complex.

One building of the complex will have a swimming pool with a spa area. The swimming pool will have four 25 m long tracks, tribunes, changing rooms, administrative rooms, a spa area with saunas, a whirlpool. The pool will have a raised bottom, so that not only swimming, but also diving from the springboard can take place here, as well as training and competitions. The depth of the bottom of the pool will reach up to 4 meters.

The next building will house a multi-purpose gym. Volleyball players from the area, the indoor football team and other athletes will train and compete here. Residents will have the opportunity to watch top-level competitions without leaving their area.

Currently, the monolithic and prefabricated structures of the swimming pool and arena buildings have already been completed, the roof of the swimming pool and sports arena buildings has already been covered, and aluminum window structures have been installed. in 2024 In the first quarter, multi-layered walls will be installed, and interior installation work will begin. All underground communications and outdoor engineering networks are installed on the plot. The arrangement of the plot and the communication part reaches about 70 percent.

Construction the works are planned to be completed in 2025. II quarter. The plot of the sports and entertainment complex will also be arranged, installing all the necessary communications, parking lot, paths, and public spaces.

Construction works are carried out by Infes UAB. The value of the construction contract is 29.2 million. euros. The Municipality has already allocated 8.5 million for the construction of the complex. euros.

Kazilinje is an important stage

UAB “Infes” raised a stylized graduation wreath on the roof of the multipurpose construction site. And here is the ethnologist l. Klimka says that earlier in Žemaitija craftsmen used to hang cheese and a bottle cut out of a wooden table in the middle of the graduation wreath, a hint of the expected feast. Elsewhere, he used to hang the sign of his profession – a wooden saw, an axe, pliers, an angle grinder, and a miter saw. According to the ethnologist, there were often such customs, when the construction manager had to climb up the rafters and pick up various things that the builders had put together, such as shoes, shirts, gloves and a woven towel. At that time, the workers laughed and tried to make noise with various rakes.

“After the master had successfully hung the gifts, the minions would rise, then the master would be greeted with a song. And the hostess is already putting the biggest bowl of chutney, the “stračiokė” pan on the table. Graduation feasts have their own name, but again, different in different regions of Lithuania. In Aukštaitia – “sheelmen’s balls”, in its northwestern part – “swallowing of the crown”, in Lesser Lithuania – “bēringės”, in Žemaitija – “kazilinės”, in Užnemunė – “sparinės”. When raising the first glass, the craftsman traditionally wishes that the hut will survive everyone, that the wind will not destroy it, that it will not be struck by lightning, that it will be full of good mood”, says L. Klimka. Once this stage of construction was marked, the work did not end – it remained to cover the roof itself, lay the floor, install doors and windows and shake the furnace.

Gabriele ČIUNKAITĖ

Auth. photo