Working group to consider new attraction for Hamina, possibly a new flagpole

A working group in the Finnish town of Hamina will begin exploring options for a new landmark, with a possible replacement for the city’s deteriorating 100-metre flagpole among the ideas discussed, Yle reports.

A majority of Hamina’s city council members favour demolishing the current flagpole, which has a failing coating that poses a safety risk. However, council chair Elina Inkeroinen-Lalu (National Coalition Party) said it is important to eventually replace the structure with something new, noting the flagpole has become a local landmark.

The working group, composed of municipal officials and councillors, will assess costs and feasibility for various alternatives, including a new flagpole of different size. No option has been ruled out at this stage, Inkeroinen-Lalu said.

City manager Ilari Soosalu said the planning is in its earliest phase and that he hopes a proposal could be considered alongside the next budget in the autumn. A final decision on demolishing the existing flagpole will be made later by the city development committee, after the city board called for further discussion.

The current flagpole’s coating is peeling off in hard pieces due to a manufacturing defect, according to the city’s technical director, who has recommended removal on safety grounds. Repairs would cost an estimated 500,000 euros, while demolition would cost 120,000 euros.

When erected in 2019, the flagpole was the tallest in Europe.