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
Trump claims victory after Fox News projects he has won U.S. presidency
Republican Donald Trump claimed victory in the 2024 presidential contest after Fox News projected that he had defeated Democrat Kamala Harris, which would cap a stunning political comeback four years after he left the White House.
Early election takeaways: Trump weakens Democrats' coalition
The 2024 presidential election already has exposed the depths of a fractured nation as the candidates navigated political shifts based on class, race and age under the near-constant threat of misinformation and violence.
Democrat Sarah McBride of Delaware to become first openly transgender person to serve in Congress
Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride has been elected to the U.S. House and will become the first openly transgender person to serve in Congress.
B.C. parents sue Irish nanny for quitting on short notice
Two parents filed a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court last week seeking damages from their former nanny, alleging she quit on short notice and "never said goodbye to the children."
Blues forward leaves rink on stretcher after being struck in neck by puck
St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway left Tuesday night's contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning and departed the rink on a stretcher after being struck by a puck late in the first period.
Lamborghini driver who crashed into parked cars while trying to pass streetcar sentenced to prison
A mortgage broker who totalled his Lamborghini and left a passenger with life-altering injuries after trying to pass a Toronto streetcar at nearly three times the speed limit has been handed a two-and-a-half year prison sentence.
Ben Affleck had this to say about his ex, Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck may be going through a divorce, but it sounds like things are amicable.
B.C. RCMP say drunk driver crashed SUV then switched seats with passenger – who crashed again
Two drunk women crashed the same SUV into the same parked car in the same motel parking lot in Prince George, B.C., last week, according to police.
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.