Lappeenranta’s sauna world sparks interest among entrepreneurs – city: ‘Things could start happening in the next few years’

Lappeenranta has not yet decided how it will formally apply for an entrepreneur.

Interest has been stimulated since the city started planning its waterfront development last summer, while also outlining a sauna world near the harbour.

Earlier plans for a sauna world fell through in spring 2022, when Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine changed the entrepreneurs’ outlook.

– There can be many different concepts for the sauna world, but I think the idea now is to come up with a concept that is suitable for Lappeenranta and has realistic chances of being implemented,” Pimiä says of his discussions with the entrepreneurs.

Not yet available

The city of Lappeenranta has not yet decided how it will continue discussing with those interested in the sauna world.

For example, starting an open search can be decided after the decision -makers have first approved the beach development plan, which is called Meijän beaches.

The City Development Board is expected to deal with the plan next week. According to Pimiä, the goal is for the plan to proceed to the council in April.

If decision -making progresses within the expected schedule, the city could decide on the way the entrepreneurial search before summer holidays. If an entrepreneur is found in time, implementing the sauna world also requires a change in the town plan.

– It takes a couple of years before the heater warms up. But yes, even in the next few years, it can begin to happen if the right entrepreneur goes on to take it forward.