To patch the holes in the sports budget, the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) intends to urgently sell the building of the Latvian Sports Museum in Old Riga, reports Latvian Television.
The museum management learned about this step only at the last moment, and it remains unclear both the future of the unique collection valued at 1.5 million euros and possible new premises. Meanwhile, Latvian Television has found out that the Riga Jewish Religious Community does not hide its interest in purchasing the property.
The Latvian Sports Museum has been located in a building at Alksnāja Street 9 in Old Riga almost since its founding in 1990. Initially, the premises were rented, but in 1997 the state purchased the property specifically for the needs of the Sports Museum. Subsequent renovations were subordinated to these needs.
Among the most valuable relics of the museum is the collection of silver trophies of the legendary racewalker Jānis Daliņš, which was buried in the ground under a chicken coop for 50 years. After its discovery, the collection was restored. The museum houses the first sled of skeleton athlete Martins Dukurs, the shoes of basketball legend Uļjana Semjonova, and many other sports exhibits.
As potential premises for the museum, the ministry mentions the Daugava Stadium. The proposal to alienate the museum building for further sale was submitted by the Ministry of Education and Science between the first and second readings of the state budget. The government and the budget and finance commission of the Saeima supported this. The urgency is explained by the need to find additional funds.
"The sports sector has clearly indicated that these funds will be necessary in 2026. Understanding that this building may be the most valuable of those we have, we decided to include it in this year's budget as an object of alienation," said the parliamentary secretary of the Ministry of Education, Davis Martinš Daugavietis (New Unity).
The cadastral value of the building is about 300,000 euros. Daugavietis hopes that the sale of the building can bring in at least 500,000 euros.
All explanations from the Ministry of Education are confusing and not based on specific calculations, claims Latvian Television.
The Jewish Community Has Already Shown Interest in the Building
On the basement floor of the building is a kitchen maintained by the Riga Jewish Religious Community. Upon purchasing the building, the community was granted rental rights until 2027. Two years ago, the ministry filed a lawsuit against the community, demanding that this clause of the contract be declared invalid, evicting the community, and claiming 23,000 euros in damages.
"I remember that during my time at the Ministry of Education, there was a legal issue because the premises had been used for a relatively small fee for a long time. It was a legal case of what to do next," recalls the former Minister of Education and Science, now chair of the budget and finance commission of the Saeima, Anda Čakša (New Unity).
The Vice President of the Jewish Community of Latvia, Dmitry Krupnikov, explains his position as follows: "Thirty years ago, the Riga Jewish Religious Community alienated a building that passed to the Ministry of Education, and this process was accompanied by certain conditions. Compensation was received for this building both in cash and in kind. Now the ministry is contesting one of the elements of the deal. In our view, there can be two options: either the entire deal is declared invalid, or everyone acknowledges everything."
The Jewish Community of Latvia is interested in this building, confirms Krupnikov. "Are we ready to accept the building if it comes to us as a result of a settlement? Yes, we will take it. Do we want to buy it at auction? When the auction takes place, we will see," said Krupnikov.
