Construction will begin in September with earthworks, groundworks and foundation work. Work on the building’s structure and facade will be carried out during 2027, and in 2028–2029, work will mainly be carried out indoors.
The swimming and sports centre will be built at Länsisatamankuja 1. The Bunkkeri warehouse building, which stood on the site, has been demolished and the demolition project is being finalised.
Facilities for over twenty different sports
“The new swimming and sports centre will provide Helsinki residents with a whole new level of opportunities for exercise and leisure activities. The facilities have been designed to provide options for all ages and a wide range of needs – from water sports to a diverse gym training and skill-based sports, not forgetting features such as a new kind of urban physical activity environment on the rooftop yard. These facilities will enable everyone to find their own way of being physically active,” says City of Helsinki Sports Director Tarja Loikkanen about Jätkäsaari Swimming and Sports Centre.
The centre will feature an eight-lane 50-metre swimming pool for water sports, a teaching pool with adjustable depth, a diving pool, a wading and children’s pool, a water slide, a therapy and multi-purpose pool, a cold pool and a jacuzzi.
The range of physical activity opportunities will be complemented by over a dozen different training facilities, such as a ball sports hall, group exercise halls, dance and yoga halls, gyms, a functional training area, a skill and motor skill hall, a bouldering area, and boxing and martial arts halls.
A special feature of the upcoming building is a yard area on the roof, which will include elements such as a running track and exercise equipment.
In the design process, attention has been paid to equality, reachability and accessibility. For example, in addition to gender-segregated changing rooms and saunas, the building will also feature accessible unisex changing rooms and two shared saunas where groups such as families can enjoy the sauna together.
Over 850,000 annual visits to increase wellbeing
Jätkäsaari Swimming and Sports Centre will be the most significant addition to Helsinki’s range of sports facilities in decades. The aim is for the swimming hall to have 550,000 visits each year and for the other sports facilities to have over 300,000 visits.
The facilities will be used by clubs, associations and independent exercisers. In addition to children and young people, another important user group is the elderly, whose number is growing in the area. The centre will also serve as a hub for physical education for around 1,400 pupils of schools in the surrounding area.
Particular focus on environmental sustainability
The building has been designed to be as energy-efficient and low-carbon as possible. For example, heat from the exhaust air of the pool facilities will be utilised for heating, and part of the building’s electricity needs will be covered by its own solar power system. Low-carbon concrete and recycled materials will be used in the construction work.
PES-Arkkitehdit Oy is responsible for the main and architectural design.
Website to be launched for the worksite once construction begins
A dedicated website will be launched for the construction project in September, providing updates about the progress and impacts of the work.
