Nordic spa being considered in Brander Gardens
Developers are eyeing up Edmonton for a new hot-and-cold outdoor attraction.
Scandinave Spas is looking to open a Nordic spa in the capital city, promising "extreme temperatures, silence and digital detox."
Alternating cold, hot and relaxation is a traditional hydrotherapy practice in countries like Finland and Norway, believed to boost immune function and physical health.
The company, which operates four other Nordic spas in Canada, has its sights set on a multi-acre property in Brander Gardens, just south of Fort Edmonton Park.
The lot currently belongs to the University of Alberta, but it used to be home to local philanthropist and entrepreneur Sandy Mactaggart – one of the founders of the Citadel Theatre.
"He was a bit eccentric," said Ward pihêsiwin Coun. Tim Cartmell. "The home was a bit eccentric and it was gifted to the university, and they were using it as a bit of a hospitality place."
The house was demolished and the university is now looking to sell the land, Cartmell said. Stantec Consulting has applied for it to be rezoned, and if it's approved, Scandinave could buy it.
"It's a natural setting, good views – could be a really unique development," Cartmell said.
According to that proposal, the thermal spa would be integrated with existing trees and pools would not dip below the river bank.
Henry Heuver has lived across the street from the wooded, walled-off section of land for almost 25 years. He believes the spa would be a good fit.
"Better than having apartments being built on that property, that's for sure," Heuver said. "Because that's prime property backing onto the river."
Public engagement is underway on the proposal, and the City of Edmonton is hosting an open house on the rezoning on Oct. 29. For more information, visit the Engaged Edmonton website.
In 2019, another company proposed a Nordic spa for Fort Edmonton Park. According to the Alberta government's website, that project was cancelled after developers were unable to come to an agreement with the park and the city.
Alberta currently has one Nordic spa in Kananaskis. Two others have been announced for Canmore and Harmony (west of Calgary), but neither appear to have opened.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It looks quite real': Two Ontarians lose money to fake phone scam
About 85 per cent of Canadians have a smartphone and once you have one they’re hard to live without. The latest smartphones can cost as much as $2,000, so if you’re trying to save money, make sure you don’t get caught in a fake smartphone scam.
Preparation for next U.S. president started months ago, Trudeau's cabinet says
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says the Trudeau government is in a better position to manage trade negotiations with the next American president than it was the last time it signed a deal with the U.S. and Mexico.
New homeowners find skeleton in attic 15 years after previous occupant disappeared
Homeowners in France have discovered a skeleton in the attic of an outbuilding while undertaking renovation work.
5 things to watch for as Americans head to the polls on election day
Americans are facing a decision about the future of their country and no matter which president they choose, Canada cannot escape the pull of political polarization from its closest neighbour.
No jail time for man who drove truck through residential school march in B.C.
A British Columbia senior who drove his pickup truck into a march for Indigenous residential school survivors will avoid jail time after he was sentenced Monday to nine months of house arrest.
America reaches Election Day and a stark choice between Trump and Harris
A presidential campaign marked by upheaval and rancor approached its finale on Election Day as Americans decided whether to send Donald Trump back to the White House or elevate Kamala Harris to the Oval Office.
North Korean troops in Russia are shelled by Ukrainian forces, an official says
North Korean troops recently deployed to help Russia in its war with Ukraine have come under Ukrainian fire, a Kyiv official said Tuesday.
Tim Hortons parent Restaurant Brands misses sales estimates on muted demand
Restaurant Brands missed estimates for quarterly revenue on Tuesday due to weak demand across key businesses such as Tim Hortons, Burger King and international markets including China and the Middle East.
Canada Post, union, still disagree over weekend delivery following weekend talks
Canada Post and the union representing its workers are commenting on how weekend talks for a new contract went, with the employer calling them less productive than they'd hoped and the union claiming their employer is focused on flexibility to deliver parcels at the lowest possible cost.