Vladivostok's beloved swim center for orphans faces demolition after 20 years

A long-running legal battle over Vladivostok’s GorodOK Aquatic and Wellness Center has reached a critical point. The facility, which teaches orphans to swim and employs over 30 people, now faces demolition after city authorities declared it an illegal construction. Owner Zhanna Vasilenko insists her property rights are valid, but courts have repeatedly ruled against her claims. The center first opened 20 years ago on a leased plot originally meant for a temporary shop. Over time, Vasilenko expanded the site into a two-story aquatic and wellness complex covering nearly 1,000 square meters. Despite operating for decades, city officials argue the building was erected without proper permits.

In 2016, the Primorsky Krai Arbitration Court ordered Vasilenko to surrender the land within seven days of the ruling taking effect. She challenged the decision and sought a new lease, but by 2017, three separate courts had rejected her appeals. Then, in 2022, the federal property registry Rosreestr formally recognised Vasilenko as the owner of the 989.2-square-meter complex.

The dispute escalated in August 2024 when Vladivostok’s mayoral office filed a lawsuit to demolish the center. In response, staff recorded a video appeal to the regional governor, and supporters gathered signatures to save the facility. Vasilenko and her team maintain that their ownership is legally sound, while city authorities insist the structure remains unauthorised. The center continues to operate while awaiting a final court decision. If demolished, the facility’s swimming lessons for orphans and jobs for over 30 employees will be at risk. The outcome hinges on whether Vasilenko’s ownership claim will override the city’s long-standing legal objections.