All construction is due to be completed by the end of August with venues opening next year ©FISU

Almaty Mayor Bauyrzhan Baibek has visited sporting venues for the 2017 Winter Universiade to inspect the progress of the construction - and claimed the city is on track for the event next year.

The Ice Arena is reportedly on schedule with the warm-up skating rink, in the 3,000 seater venue, expected to be completed by March 22.

Work on the main arena and the administrative building, which will host ice hockey, and the improvement of public services at the venue, has been scheduled to draw to a close on July 6.

The Ice Palace, which will boast 12,000 seats, has already had its administrative building, basin area and warm-up skating rink completed.

Construction is expected to be completely finished on May 9, with the venue due to stage both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as skating.

Organisers hope each of the Universiade venues will be finished by August 30, prior to their opening next year as part of Almaty’s millennial anniversary.

The anniversary has been added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) list of special dates, with the new sporting facilities described in Almaty as being "heritage for the next generations of the Kazakh city’s residents".

Having visited the competition venues, Baibek stressed that none of the work would be suspended due to concerns regarding the global economy, and he claimed all venues would be completed to schedule.

The Ice Arena, which will stage ice hockey, is expected to be completed by July 6
The Ice Arena, which will stage ice hockey, is expected to be completed by July 6 ©Almaty 2017

In addition to the sport facilities, work remains ongoing at the Universiade’s Athletes’ Village, which is due to house 5,000 athletes and officials.

The first four blocks are expected to be constructed by March 22, with another four on course for completion by May 9.

Work on the Village is scheduled to draw to a close on July 6, when the final two housing blocks are due to be finished.

Baibek, who is overseeing construction and installation works, also promised the improvement of public services will be completed by August 1.

His inspection comes after the International University Sports Federation (FISU) visited venues earlier this month to witness how construction was progressing first hand.

More than 2,000 athletes from 55 countries are expected to take part in the 26th edition of the Universiade, due to take place from January 28 to February 8 in 2017, with organisers hopeful the event will boost Kazakhstan’s prospects of hosting future large scale events.

The city was unsuccessful in its bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, losing out to Chinese capital Beijing by 44 votes to 40 at the International Olympic Committee's Session in Kuala Lumpur in July.