One’s city enigma: Where does public money go in Bistrița?

Published 2025-06-09 12:22
AI - ChatGPT
“Where’s all the money going?” a local wonders, as shiny new sports projects rise while neighbourhood streets are left behind. Image: AI - ChatGPT.

Millions of public money are being directed towards sports clubs and ghost projects of the city, while the streets in some neighbourhoods of Bistrița are in urgent need of repairs and improvements. Why is so much invested in sports and so little in everyday infrastructure? Who decides the budgets and how fair is the money distribution? Let’s find out where your city's money goes.

In Bistrița-Năsăud, 2025 has been marked by a wave of controversial public investments. Despite the local government announcing a record budget of over 160 milion lei, spending priorities seem unbalanced. Large sums have been directed towards the construction and development of sports complexes, like the Teraplast Arena or new synthetic football fields in central neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, residents districts such as Viisoara, Slatinita and Unirea complain about poor public lighting, deteriorated streets and nonfunctional sewage systems.

“Every spring, the road to school is a nightmare for kids because of the large holes. Meanwhile, we see empty stadiums with milion lei lighting systems.” says Maria C., a resident of Subcetate. 

Dobocan SaraNational handball match at Teraplast Arena, publicly funded sports venue. Image: Dobocan Sara.

Urban regeneration projects remain stuck on paperwork or caught in dispute. Ghost projects, such as the long awaited municipal Aquapark announced in 2021, appear to have vanished. The lack of transparency in budgeting from City Hall raises serious concerns about how efficiently tax money is being used.

Rus TeodoraRoad in Unirea with puddles after rain. Image: Rus Teodora.

Despite local promises, conditions remain poor în Bistrița-Năsăud. As of May 2025, over 40% of rural roads need urgent repairs, according to the County Roads Directorate. In places like Budacu de Jos and Dumitra, potholes damage vehicles and force public transport to reroute and reduce. Still, funding continues to favor sports facilities over essential infrastructure.

page Slideshow: 
  • Cristina VlasaGloria shines, but at what cost to public money?. Image: Cristina Vlasa.
  • Dobocan SaraGloria trains hard, powered by sweat, strength and public funds. Image: Dobocan Sara.
  • Rus TeodoraPrivate road, public money - classic Bistrița. Image: Rus Teodora.
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
References: (1) Municipality of Bistrița Official Budget 2025, (2) DATA.GOV.RO
Writers
Photo
Research
Video
https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/isometric-garbage-flowchart-with-factory-truck-processing-sorting-pressing-containers-loading-scavenger-descriptions-illustration_15330906.htm#fromView=keyword&page=1&position=0&uuid=4a039fe5-c59d-47bd-b83c-6a02628e5485&query=Waste+Management
16 Jun
Pupil
Source: https://propolitica.ro/2024/12/05/bistrita-are-din-aceasta-seara-un-nou-consiliu-local-al-tinerilor-un-moment-care-marcheaza-inceputul-unei-noi-generatii-de-lideri-locali-a-punctat-primarul-lazany/
10 Jun
Pupil
Google
10 Jun
Pupil
06 Jun
Pupil
mana5280 (unsplash.com)
06 Jun
Pupil
06 Jun
Pupil
05 Jun
Pupil
Zihao Wang
31 May
Pupil
https://www.amazon.com/Dallisten-Artificial-Flowers-Wedding-Delivery/dp/B09WTN7HFF?th=1
28 May
Pupil
https://www.bornfree.org.uk/news/time-to-end-the-fur-trade-in-britain/
28 May
Pupil
Darzad Mohamadi
25 Apr
Pupil
google
25 Apr
Pupil
Viio.be
25 Apr
Pupil
https://www.transkribus.org/newspapers
25 Apr
Pupil
Google
25 Apr
Pupil
Viio.be
25 Apr
Pupil
Johan Sköld
11 Apr
Pupil
Ana Jibotean
08 Apr
Pupil
Bribe (2024, 8 juni). Asian Core. Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/617133955219895303/
17 Feb
Pupil
Photo by Alina Bordunova
17 Feb
Pupil
Manna floral design
17 Feb
Pupil
Jana Van Oostveldt
17 Feb
Pupil
Apaimages
31 Jan
Pupil
Arcturus Classics
23 Jan
Pupil
amazon.com
23 Jan
Pupil
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/734579389253066696/
23 Jan
Pupil
Photo: Touchstone Pictures/Alamy
23 Jan
Pupil
pinterest
23 Jan
Pupil
23 Jan
Pupil
Image: Zahra Nawrozi.
18 Dec
Pupil
https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/isometric-garbage-flowchart-with-factory-truck-processing-sorting-pressing-containers-loading-scavenger-descriptions-illustration_15330906.htm#fromView=keyword&page=1&position=0&uuid=4a039fe5-c59d-47bd-b83c-6a02628e5485&query=Waste+Management
16 Jun
Pupil
pikisuperstar
16 Jun
Pupil
14 Jun
Pupil
Anaïs, Sasha et Eoghan, Shauna
14 Jun
Pupil
distelAPPArath, pixabay.com
14 Jun
Pupil
Lotta Bergseth
14 Jun
Pupil
Lotta Bergseth
14 Jun
Pupil
Lotta Bergseth
14 Jun
Pupil