Since early September, the sports scene in Jesenice has been bolstered by the addition of a new sustainable slag-based pump track. As part of a partnership between the Slovenian Olympic Committee – Association of Sports Federations (OKS – ZŠZ), the SIJ Group – Slovenian Steel Group, BATT Crew and the Dejmo Association, and in cooperation with the Municipality of Jesenice, a pump track in Koroška Bela in the municipality of Jesenice was built.
The pump track is a sustainable project that uses a by-product of the steel industry – slag – to make the track’s humps and bends, as well as to create drainage. The slag is a replacement for gravel and makes an important contribution to reducing the consumption of natural resources.
Among the guests at the opening ceremony were the Managing Director of SIJ Acroni, Branko Žerdoner, Vice-President of the OKS – ZŠZ, Miran Kos, Director of BATT Crew, who built the track, Jan Perše, Secretary and Head of the Regional Office, Branko Jeršin, Acting Director of the Jesenice Institute for Sport, Gaber Šorn, representative of the Jesenice Institute for Sport and member of the Jesenice Sports Association Executive Board, Primož Samar, and Acting Headmistress of the Koroška Bela Primary School, Sanda Zupan.
At the SIJ Group, we are constantly working to ensure that steel is understood as a material that is widely used in everyday life, as well as in sport and in the construction of sports infrastructure. That's why, in the area of sponsorships, we are constantly developing new creative ideas and projects that use steel and the by-products of the steel production process.
"That the Municipality of Jesenice has responded to our initiative and that we now have a sustainably-made pump track in Jesenice built using slag is something I am very happy about. Especially because it is situated in Koroška Bela, where our closest neighbours live. These initiatives make it an attractive place for young families, providing high quality leisure activities for children and young people. I am also pleased to see the creation of a sustainable slag-based pump track, because it is an additional, innovative use of a material that is otherwise used for road construction. The use of slag in the construction of this track is an excellent example of the circular economy and our sustainable approach, which places a responsibility on us vis-à-vis future generations."
Branko Žerdoner, Managing Director of SIJ Acroni
The OKS – ZŠZ and the SIJ Group have a long history of sponsorship cooperation. Since 2014, we have been working together to set up steel street workout parks in local communities across Slovenia to raise awareness of fitness and promote active leisure time. The first slag pump track made was constructed in Kranj in 2021. The tracks – made of steel and slag – are proof that together we can accomplish more, and that quality leisure time is of the utmost importance today. Add to this environmental awareness and the sustainability of the new tracks, and the importance of new sporting facilities in local communities is even greater.
"SIJ is a highly important partner of the Slovenian Olympic Committee and they work with us in a very special way. They promote and finance the construction of sports facilities in order to provide as many Slovenian municipalities as possible with sports facilities that allow children of different ages to exercise. The track we have opened today is not a traditional sports facility. Together with our partners and project stakeholders, we are aware of the opportunity and the need to collaborate to provide younger generations with the most dynamic and varied exercises possible. It is also important to give them the opportunity to exercise outdoors as much as possible, to encourage activity in the fresh air. Although we are sometimes dependent on the weather, I believe that this is the way to get as many children as possible to enjoy an active life and different forms of exercise."
Miran Kos, Vice-President of the Slovenian Olympic Committee
"Sport is an activity that enriches the quality of an individual's life and has a significant impact on society as a whole. Providing the conditions for participating in sports and recreational activities in the Jesenice Municipality is one of the key areas to which the local community has traditionally paid special attention, and with this addition to the Koroška Bela area, we are also meeting the objectives set out in the municipality's sports development strategy. We wish all users of the new outdoor sports area – the pump track – a lot of fun and ask that you follow the safety rules."
Peter Bohinec, Mayor of the Municipality of Jesenice
"It was a great honour to be involved in the development of a sustainable pump track that was constructed using a by-product of the steel industry – slag, instead of natural materials – gravel. The track itself is designed for children aged 3 years and older, or from the time they can confidently handle a balance bike. It is a great amenity that offers young people a chance to have a lot of fun and outdoor recreation instead of spending all their time staring at their phone screens."
Jan Perše, Director of BATT Crew
"Pump tracks have proven to be an invaluable asset for the development of current and future cyclists. Since 2016, more than 60 such tracks have been built in Slovenia, but it is only through a partnership project to build pump tracks where slag is a key material that they have been labelled sustainable or environmentally friendly. We believe that the Jesenice track will further connect and strengthen the local cycling community and become a place where all generations can meet and have fun."
Dejan Gorenc, former cycling competitor, Founder and President of Dejmo
The opening was part of the "Grbine so fine" campaign, organised by Pumptrack Slovenia in partnership with the OKS – ZŠZ. The campaign targets the youngest cyclists, which is why the opening and the accompanying programme were mainly geared towards younger participants. David Korošec Janušič and Nejc Petač, two young and successful cyclists from the Završnica Cycling Club, alongside pupils from the Koroška Bela Primary School thrilled the crowd at the opening ceremony with their dance performances.
After the opening ceremony formalities, SIJ Group representatives gave an engaging presentation about how slag is processed for further use in the construction industry, and Jan Perše, Director of BATT Crew, gave a presentation about the construction of Jesenice's pump track.
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SIJ – Slovenian Steel Group is one of the leading producers of stainless steel and special steels in Europe. We are committed to global and European climate goals and operate in line with circular economy principles. With our steel and steel products, we are the right partner for facilitating the green transition in Europe. We aim to confirm our sustainability credentials by achieving certification to the stringent ResponsibleSteel standard by the end of 2023. This will position us as one of the most responsible and sustainable steel producers in the world. Our two largest companies are modern recycling steelworks, and our steel is recycled because it is made from steel scrap. With more than 3,800 employees, we are one of the largest employers in Slovenia and a pillar of the Slovenian steel sector. We are one of Slovenia's leading exporters. About 85% of our revenue is generated in foreign markets.
More information:
SIJ – Slovenska industrija jekla, d.d.
Sara Wagner, Head of Corporate Communications
Corporate Communications
Telephone: +386 1 242 98 27
Mobile phone: +386 41 313 532
E-mail: sara.wagner@sij.si
