More space for swimming, ball sports and martial arts, gymnastics, dance training, and weight training. In addition to sports clubs and associations, the new facility will also serve two schools and independent sports enthusiasts in the area.
The features planned for the building include:
- For water exercise: A main pool (50 m), a wading and children’s pool, a diving tower and cold pools, and a teaching pool with adjustable depth. The plan also includes a wellbeing pool with massage stations, a jacuzzi, a water play area and a water slide, which has been requested by residents.
- For indoor sports: Ball game halls, group exercise facilities, a skill and motor skill training hall, a gym and several other exercise facilities. More than ten different exercise facilities in total.
- For outdoor sports: The preliminary plan includes features such as a running track for warming up and outdoor gym equipment on the roof of the swimming hall.
- Dressing rooms: Several accessible dressing and washing rooms, including gender-neutral facilities with separate dressing and shower booths. The pool area will feature access to joint saunas and their showers. The swimming hall will also feature ordinary saunas and washing facilities for men and women.
The project will pay special attention to energy conservation and recycling
The building will recover heat from exhaust air and utilise other energy-efficient solutions. The roof will feature a solar power system that will cover roughly 10 per cent of the building’s electricity needs. Space will also be reserved for expanding the system.
The facade materials will be selected in accordance with the principles of circular economy where possible. The wood-framed upper floor will feature a facade made from recycled aluminium. The possibility of using bricks from the nearby harbour building to be demolished in the facade of the ground floor is being surveyed.
Project progress
Planning for the Jätkäsaari Swimming and Sports Centre project began in the summer of 2024. PES-Arkkitehdit Oy is responsible for the primary and architectural design of the building during the project planning phase.
The City Council will decide on the project plan in 2025. The matter will first be presented to the Buildings and Public Areas Sub-committee of the Urban Environment Committee on 20 March 2025. The Culture and Leisure Committee will process the plan on Tuesday 15 April 2025.
Further development of the project is about to begin and a tendering process for the contractor has started. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2026, lasting roughly three years. The aim is to have the facilities ready for use in late 2029.
Tear-down of the Bunker
The tear-down of the interior of the Bunker, located on the site of the Sports Centre, began in the spring of 2024, and the heavy demolition of the building will begin in the summer of 2024. At this stage, two-thirds of the building will be demolished. The remaining parts are to be torn down when the plan for the new swimming and sports centre is ready.
