A new camping site will open for Imatra residents, if the city so decides – also aimed at tourists

Hanna Ollikainen and Marja Kurkaa of the South Karelia recreation area foundation are standing on the future castle shore. — Hanna Ollikainen (left), Managing Director of the South Karelia Recreation Area Foundation, and Marja Kurkaa, Recreation Area Coordinator, ensure that recreation areas are available to locals and tourists.

The Imatra City Council will decide today whether to transfer Hapasaari to the South Karelia Recreation Area Foundation free of charge.

In Imatra, Hapasaari is becoming a recreational area for city residents.

If the city council approves the plan today, the island will be transferred free of charge to the South Karelia Recreation Area Foundation. Tourism and leisure activities can be organised on the island. This would also strengthen the development of the Saimaa-Ukonniemi area.

Hapasaari is located north of Imatra’s Lammassaari, on the Saimaa.

The total area to be handed over, including buildings, is 49,700 square meters. It is not possible to make significant investments in the area in the coming summer, because the planning has not yet started either.

First destination in Imatra

Haapasaari would be the recreation area foundation’s first destination in Imatra. In total, the South Karelia recreation area foundation owns approximately 200 hectares of land in 13 different locations. The sites are located, for example, in Saimaa, Rautjärvi’s Hiitolanjoi and Parikkala’s Pien-Rautjärvi.

Imatra has previously leased Haapasaari for private business operations. An area of \u200b\u200b700 square meters has been used, where, for example, the main building, sauna, and accommodation cabins are located.

Imatra Toimitilat pays about 12,000 euros per year for the maintenance of Haapasaari.