In Almaty, about two thousand swimmers and coaches risk losing access to the pool: the sports complex faces partial demolition after a complaint from a resident of a neighboring residential complex, reports infohub.kz.
The pool has been operating for eight years, with about 300 people training here daily, including children. For many athletes, this facility has become a starting point in their sports careers. Among them is 12-year-old Tokzhan Toylybek, who has repeatedly become a prize-winner in competitions.
"I ask not to close our pool, because other children also want to train like us. I have been training in this pool for seven years and have achieved heights thanks to the efforts of my coach and the support of my parents," the young athlete shared.
About a year ago, complaints about the pool began from a resident of the neighboring residential complex: according to her, the building blocks sunlight in her apartment. The sports club claims that the woman was ready to withdraw her claims for monetary compensation.
"She extorted money from the fitness club with her statements. When transferring 230 million tenge, she was detained and taken to the temporary detention center of Almaty. The case has been sent to court under Article 194 - extortion on an especially large scale," said Nagira Baudinova, administrator of the sports club.
After the complaint, an inspection was carried out, and the commission found that part of the building was erected without the necessary permits. The owner was held accountable and ordered to eliminate the violations. The case went to court, which ordered a partial demolition of the pool.
The Almaty Urban Development Control Department reported that the decision of the Nauryzbay District Court of December 5, 2025, satisfied the department's lawsuit. The judicial act was upheld by the ruling of the Almaty City Court of January 28, 2026, and the ruling of the Cassation Court of Kazakhstan of July 28, 2026. Currently, the enforcement document is being executed by the Almaty Department of Justice.
When exactly the demolition will begin is still unknown. The decision has already entered into legal force and has been transferred to bailiffs. Parents, coaches, and athletes hope that the pool can be saved.