Popular Tampere sauna set to reopen after extensive rebuild

The renovated Rauhaniemi public bathhouse in Tampere is expected to reopen in May or June, with larger sauna capacity and a new year-round cafe, Yle reports.

The yellow building looks much as it did before, although much of the old structure had to be dismantled because of its poor condition. Inside, the changes are more extensive: the smaller sauna will accommodate about 30 percent more people than before, and the former kiosk is being turned into a two-storey cafe.

The renovation is estimated to cost 2.8 million euros and remains on budget and on schedule, despite challenges in repairing the original timber and concrete structures.

The saunas will use electric heaters, while the building will be heated by district heating. Both previously relied on oil. Operator TaTU Companies’ rent is set to rise significantly, but it is not yet clear whether that will affect admission prices. The operator’s Mika Tynkkynen said he believes prices can remain reasonable.

Rauhaniemi’s sauna operations are run by swimming club TaTU Tampere. The bathhouse was established nearly a century ago, and the first sauna on the peninsula was built in the late 1950s. A pier is also due to be built in the spring to make access to the shore easier.