The Kuukkeli shopping centre in Saariselkä, which was destroyed by fire exactly one year ago, will be rebuilt. The shopping centre was completely destroyed in the fire and the retailer had to relocate the grocery store to temporary premises.
The insurance company insisted on building a new shop on the foundations of an old shop that had burnt down. Ylävaara did not agree and the building control authority agreed with the trader. A compromise was finally reached and planning started in October.
– I couldn’t agree to the demands to build on top of the old foundations, but wanted to start from scratch. It cost me a good EUR 800 000, but now we can achieve what we set out to do,” says Antero Ylävaara, a merchant.
The final amount of the insurance claim is not yet fully known, but Ylävaara believes that a solution has now been reached that will allow construction of the store to begin.
Slowdown in tourism construction gets a boost from Kuukkeli
Tourism construction has somewhat decreased in Lapland at the moment. According to trader Antero Ylävaara, it has been able to arouse contractors’ interest in the Kuukkeli project. Even the biggest spike in the price of building materials has subsided, so the trader is hopeful.
– There has been interest all over Lapland and even as far as Oulu, so I think I will get more offers for construction, hopes Ylävaara.
Now the final plans for the new market are ready and we will move to the contract phase in April. Construction is scheduled to begin before May Day. If everything goes according to plan, the opening of the new Kuukkeli will be held on November 23, just in time for the Christmas season.
The new building will include premises for the grocery store, an Alko store, an agent post office and Ravintolamaailma. In addition, there is space for two or three smaller stores. The space is 2,800 square meters in total.
Little Cuckoo fulfilled its mission
Immediately after the fire, Antero Ylävaara began to frantically look for replacement business premises in Saariselka. After many twists and turns, the substitute store Pikku Kuukkeli opened in the premises of Siula in Saariselkä on 31.3. last spring. Instead of the former 2,700 square meters, the business had to fit into Siula’s main space of about 600 square meters downstairs and the small showrooms upstairs. Alko took its place in the basement and these arrangements have worked since then.
– At first, it seemed that tourists no longer came in droves to Saariselä, because they went abroad again. After the summer, it became lively and autumn has already been record busy. The number of customers has increased and business has been going well, Ylävaara says.
Due to the smaller premises, the store’s selection has had to be reduced, but there has not been a shortage of any products, according to the shopkeeper.
– Customers’ one-time purchases have decreased, but visits have increased, calculates Ylävaara.
We are living through a record spring
All indicators describing the number of tourists are pointing upwards, and so is Saariselkä. The increased number of foreign tourists has compensated for the decrease in the number of domestic tourists from last year. Merchant Antero Ylävaara sees that the future of tourism in Lapland lies in internationalization.
Saariselkä must offer services to an increasingly large number of foreigners. It also means continuous study of what services these people expect on vacation.
– We want to offer exactly what vacationers need. We take the whole spectrum into account, and we don’t neglect fast food either, praises Ylävaara, who says that the new Kuukkeli is investing in a versatile restaurant world.
The cost estimate for Saariselkä’s new Kuukkeli is approximately seven million euros. It has space for a supermarket, Alko, restaurants and other support services. It is partly built of wood. Lapland-inspired materials and symbols will be included in the facade.