Vantaa mayor presents budget proposal as city sets to invest in light rail and swimming pool

The Mayor of Vantaa, Pekka Timonen, is currently presenting next year’s budget proposal to the city council. Timonen indicated that Vantaa is simultaneously accelerating some projects while trying to control other expenditures. The council is set to make a decision on the budget proposal on November 18.

Vantaa will become Finland’s fourth city to have a light rail system, with construction set to begin next year on a 19-kilometer line from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Mellunmäki in Helsinki. This will represent the largest investment in Vantaa’s history, costing the city €414 million, with the state contributing €177 million and Helsinki €15 million. Additionally, the Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY) will undertake various projects worth €53 million, with the line expected to be operational by 2029 and housing planned for 60,000 new residents. Vantaa’s population recently surpassed 250,000, and is expected to increase by an additional 4,500 residents next year.

Another significant project is the construction of the Elmo swimming pool between Korson and Koivukylä, which upon completion in 2026 will be one of Finland’s largest pools, featuring a 50-meter swimming lane and ten tracks. It is projected to attract around 350,000 visitors annually. Other notable investments include new smoke saunas at the popular year-round swimming location Kuusijärvi and renovations of the culturally significant Håkansböle Manor.

Vantaa is facing a considerable increase in debt, with projections suggesting a debt of over €1 billion by the end of next year, equating to €4,144 per resident. The total budget for Vantaa is estimated at €1.14 billion, with a projected deficit of €48.7 million. Although tax rates will remain unchanged, the city’s unemployment rate has risen to 12.4%, up from 10.7% last August, and job vacancies have decreased by 62% over the past year. Despite this, Vantaa plans to create over 200 new positions in early childhood education and schools.

In line with trends in Helsinki and Espoo, Vantaa is also set to establish its first library within a shopping mall, relocating the existing Point library to the adjacent Jumbo shopping center. This move promises additional borrowing options and services for residents, while the International School of Vantaa will utilize the former library space.