The Kimola channel in Kouvola was quiet last summer. The low traffic volume is explained by expensive fuel and increased foreign tourism.
The allure of novelty on Kimola’s channel has dissipated.
This summer, there were fewer boaters on the canal on the border between Iiti and Kouvola than ever before. This year, between May and September, 1180 closures were made on the channel. Closures are made when boat traffic passes through the canal closure.
The number of closures fell by about a third compared to last summer. In 2021, there were 1,669 closures.
In addition to jet skis and regular motorboats, inland water cruisers operate in the canal.
– The amount of foreign tourism has increased this summer, and the increase in fuel prices has certainly not improved the situation either, says Sierman.
During the late summer, Sierman has interviewed boaters both in Kymenlaakso and the Saimaa region. According to him, there has been less movement on the water last year everywhere in South-Eastern Finland.
No investments are coming to the channel
The Kimola canal has served boaters for three summers now. Boaters hope for more berth space and fuel distribution at the lock, but large investments can still be expected.
– There will be no significant investments in the budget for this channel for next year, but we will look a little further into the future.
Converting the Kimola canal to traffic use cost a total of around 21 million euros. The state paid about 14 million for this. The remaining costs were shared between Kouvola, Heinola and Iiti. The city of Kouvola’s share of the construction works was 4.8 million euros. After completion, the canal remained the property of the city of Kouvola.
– That’s what we’re talking about here and how these things are resourced. I would see that the services related to the canal and boating should be fixed and the boaters’ wishes should be listened to.
Sierman says that one goal is to get boaters from Päijät-Hämee all the way to Kouvola’s Virtakivi harbor and from there to other city services.
– The way I see it is that the Kimola canal is one of Kouvola’s tourist destinations.
The kiosk will be closed next year as well
In the beginning, Koivumäki had a two-year contract with the city of Kouvola to keep the kiosk closed. The entrepreneur says that the kiosk will continue to operate there next summer as well.
– I have an option year for this and the intention is to use it, says Koivumäki.
The best-selling product at the mobile kiosk has been donut coffee. There are no A rights there.
_The story was updated at 7:41 p.m.: Added a note to the caption that the Kouvola text was added to the Kimola channel lock this summer._