Started in 2010 with the initiative of Yenimahalle Mayor Fethi Yaşar, the process of Ankara Circassian Association's new facility is facing uncertainties at this point. Upon the insufficiency of the association building in Beştepe, an area in Çayyolu was allocated, and the project, which was realized with the association's own resources and the support of its members, was officially opened on June 15, 2015 and became operational as of 2016.
Costed 35 million liras
The Yaşamkent Social Facility, which was built at a cost of 35 million TL with great devotion by the association, has undertaken the mission of keeping the Circassian culture alive with its social areas such as a multi-purpose hall, park, carpet field and cafeteria. Since 2016, the facility, where many events ranging from association meetings to cultural nights, weddings to sports tournaments have been organized, serves both association members and neighborhood residents. However, the allocation period of 10 years and the approaching expiration of this period led the association management to search for new solutions.
Negotiations yielded no results
The association's negotiations with the Yenimahalle and Çankaya municipalities over the extension of the allocation period have become complicated. In the last meeting with Çankaya Mayor Hüseyin Güler, the municipality proposed to allocate the upper floor of the facility to another tenant and leave the lower floor to the association. However, this solution was not accepted by the association management. Çankaya Municipality suggested that the Ankara Circassian Association be allowed to use the lower floor of the facility with the status of “occupier” and be made to pay the ecri-fee. The alternative proposals offered by the association were not accepted despite having legal grounds and precedents.
Visit to Özgür Özel
When negotiations with Çankaya Municipality failed to yield results, the executives of the Federation of Caucasian Associations (KAFFED) and Ankara Circassian Association visited CHP Chairman Özgür Özel.
The delegation was accompanied by CHP Deputy Chairwoman Gülşah Deniz Atalar, Balıkesir Deputy Serkan Sarı, Istanbul Deputy Fethi Açıkel and Düzce Deputy Talih Özcan, all of Circassian origin.
Özgür Özel told the delegation that the facility has a cultural value and that he welcomed the continuation of joint work such as the scholarship project. Özel said that he would make efforts to solve the problem by meeting with Çankaya Mayor Güner.
Ankara Circassian Association is waiting for a solution
The Ankara Circassian Association demands that the entire facility it built with its own resources be transferred to the association with a long-term allocation. Stating that the allocation period can be extended in accordance with legal regulations, the association management expects support from the municipalities in this regard.
However, the fact that Çankaya Municipality is far from a solution continues to cause concern among Circassians, “I wonder if another institution or person was promised the facility?”.