Helsinki allocates €450,000 for Seurasaari swimming area renovation and new sauna

Helsinki will fund the renovation of the Seurasaari swimming area and enable the construction of a new public sauna, following a participatory budgeting vote where residents selected five sauna-related proposals for development, Yle Uutiset reports.

The city has earmarked €450,000 for the Seurasaari project, which includes repairing storm damage, improving accessibility, and creating conditions for a privately funded sauna. Four additional sauna initiatives—totaling over €1 million in proposed funding—also advanced in the Oma Stadi (“My Helsinki”) participatory budgeting process.

Kirsi Verkka, head of development for Helsinki’s participation unit, noted the clear demand for public saunas. “This clearly shows what residents want from the city,” she said, highlighting that the city will build basic infrastructure such as electrical connections and docks before selecting an operator through a competitive tender.

The Oma Stadi vote, held in March, saw 31,000 participants—down from 41,000 in 2022, with turnout dropping from 7.1% to 5.1%. School-aged voters, eligible from age 13, participated at half the previous rate. Despite the decline, eight projects targeting children and youth were approved, including a night café for young people in East Helsinki and mobile youth work in Herttoniemi.

The Seurasaari sauna initiative, led by Anna Talasniemi and Katja Ojala since 2018, aims to create an accessible space for all, including immigrants, people with disabilities, and gender minorities. While the city’s funding covers foundational work, Talasniemi’s association continues to seek partners and financing, including potential crowdfunding and support from the newly established Effekt fund, which bridges gaps between grants and market-based funding.

Planning for the approved projects begins on May 27 at a workshop with residents and city experts. Construction for the sauna initiatives is set to start in autumn 2025.

The five sauna proposals advancing to implementation:

• Public sauna and winter swimming site in central Helsinki – €300,000 (1,295 votes)
• Year-round public sauna at Munkkiniemi beach – €250,000 (1,120 votes)
• Public sauna and winter swimming site in southeast Helsinki – €300,000 (825 votes)
• Saunas for southern Helsinki beaches – €250,000 (867 votes)
• Seurasaari swimming area renovation and sauna feasibility – €450,000 (549 votes)