A unique children’s Ecocenter in Mukachevo may be closed

According to the director of the institution, Tetyana Kish, deputies motivate their decision with unprofitability of the center.

Meanwhile, it should be noted that currently 21 people work there, and Mukachevo city council pays only wages and the cost of energy. It is not that much – 850,000 UAH in a year. The Center receives everything else through personal connections.

Along with the Mukachevo ecological center, they want to close two more institutions, including the Young Technician Center.

 Currently, in the Ecocenter, there are 37 clubs attended by 712 students. In addition, there are animals in the mini-zoo. The director also worries about the fate of unique arboretum, that the Center restored on their own.

"We can cut costs by 90, 70, 50%, but do not close the Center! How can an educational institution ever be profitable? We do not have free rooms to rent out. We do not have land either, and it would be illegal anyway. We do not have legitimate ways to make money for ourselves" – T.Kish complains.

Actually, over the last 57 years, it is the fourth attempt to close the facility. The last one was in 2003 and failed. 

Meanwhile, the arboretum of the Mukachevo ecological and naturalistic center is known for its unique collection, which includes about 200 species, most of which are valuable introduced species and endangered plants. In recent years, this educational institution has become known to scientists from France, Vietnam, Brazil, the US and other countries.

Is the government of Mukachevo really unable to find the money and invest in their own future and the future of their children? Tomorrow, January 15, 2015 at 10:00 am, at the Mukachevo city council session, it will be finally decided.