Kemi’s vacant hospital could become a hotel

Kemi’s old Sauvos­aari hospital could be converted into a hotel after the city’s vitality committee approved a zoning deviation on Wednesday, Yle reported. A new outside investor has expressed interest in buying the property for accommodation use.

The 3,000-square-metre building is located in central Kemi, near the indoor harbour on the Gulf of Bothnia. Its oldest section was built in the 1940s, and the hospital has been vacant since last winter.

Kemi vitality director Kimmo Heikka proposed allowing accommodation use and selling the property. He said the city had initially considered demolishing the building if no new use could be found.

Heikka said the potential investor’s identity could not be disclosed at this stage. He estimated that the building could be converted into hotel or accommodation use at a reasonable cost.

Demolishing the hospital would cost the city hundreds of thousands of euros, possibly up to 500,000 euros, according to Heikka. The vacant building costs the city about 100,000 euros a year, mainly in heating expenses.

The hospital was emptied after its patients were transferred to Länsi-Pohja Central Hospital.

Room for dozens of tourist beds

Heikka said a hotel could attract new customers to Kemi’s tourism industry. The city wants visitors to stay longer and aims to expand its accommodation options.

He estimated that the building could provide dozens, and possibly up to 100, beds for tourists. However, he said changing its use would require substantial work despite the existing rooms and facilities.

The earliest possible completion date for a hotel would be about a year from now, Heikka estimated, provided the sale and other permits progress quickly.

Parking capacity raises concerns

The committee’s zoning deviation decision can be appealed within one month. The adequacy of parking spaces had already raised concerns, and the city consulted neighbouring properties about the application.

Heikka said the concern was that hotel guests might park on the streets and disrupt residents’ daily lives. He nevertheless believed the building’s existing 35 parking spaces would also be enough for a possible hotel and its customers.