Pieksämäki plans hotel and attractions on former Savonsolmu site

Pieksämäki is considering a hotel, a sauna restaurant and other development on Toikanniemi, the wooded peninsula where the Savonsolmu hotel once stood, Yle reports. The city says it needs more accommodation and is seeking a new attraction for the area.

The hotel building was demolished earlier this year after closing in 2020 because of bankruptcy. The peninsula lies on the shore of Lake Pieksänjärvi, near the city centre and within walking distance of the railway station, Veturitori and Poleeni cultural centre.

Three draft plans propose different accommodation options: a hotel among apartment buildings, small rental cabins among the trees, or accommodation integrated with apartment buildings. All three include housing and commercial premises along Toikankatu and a sauna restaurant on the peninsula’s western shore. One plan also suggests a summer theatre or dance pavilion at the tip of the peninsula, while keeping the rest of it as a recreational area.

City manager Emilia Savolainen said the location combines nature with proximity to the centre. The city wants to preserve the peninsula’s natural values and keep its recreational routes available. Savolainen said existing hotels in the centre are small and may not have enough capacity when large groups attend events such as concerts at Veturitori.

Residents can comment on the draft plans until October 27. Planning manager Anssi Tarkiainen said a proposal is expected to go on public display during the winter, with the city council potentially approving the final detailed plan in the spring. The plans are expected to be combined, and Savolainen said development could take 10 to 15 years. The apartment buildings and accommodation are intended to be funded privately, and investors and businesses can join the planning process.