Latest news with #ScandinaveGroup
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans for Nordic spa in Edmonton's river valley now official, developers say
Edmonton has been selected as the location of a new spa that promises to make a secluded corner of the city's southwest a destination for cold plunges, steam heat and silent relaxation. The city's first Nordic spa is slated for construction in Brander Gardens, overlooking the North Saskatchewan River. Canadian wellness brand Scandinave Group Inc. has been floating plans to construct the facility on property owned by the University of Alberta Properties Trust known as the Soaring lands. Following a pitch to the City of Edmonton and a series of public consultations, councillors voted unanimously to pass a rezoning application for the project in February, clearing the way for construction. In a joint news release Wednesday, officials with Scandinave Group, along with the provincial government and Travel Alberta, announced that those plans are now official. The spa is expected to open in the summer of 2028. Steve Arsenault, the company's president and CEO, said with city approval — along with support from the province and Travel Alberta — the company feels confident moving forward. In an interview with CBC News Wednesday, Arsenault said the project will now move into the design phase as the company works with engineers and architects to draft detailed plans for the facility. He expects construction to get underway by 2027. "It's exciting," he said. "Actually it's the most exciting phase, until we get to open the doors. "And we chose Edmonton because it aligns perfectly with our vision of offering a nature-inspired wellness experience." Nordic spas, known as a Scandinavian spas or thermal spas, are centred around the concept of hydrotherapy where clients gently heat their bodies in saunas or hot tubs before cooling off with a cold bath and repeating the cycle. Scandinave Group Inc. has built similar spas in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. Arsenault said Edmonton's spa will follow a similar model to their other facilities with a mix of saunas, steam baths, cold plunges and outdoor relaxation areas. "It's a silent experience. It's really to unwind, to relax," he said. "It's not a social experience. Some other spas have that concept. Not ours. We want to replicate what our DNA is in Edmonton, and we feel that's what people are are looking for." Wednesday's announcement was lauded by Andrew Boitchenko, Alberta's tourism minister, who said the provincial government is proud to support the new venture. The project is expected to generate approximately $121 million in total economic impact over its first decade of operation, the ministry said. It's expected to result in 330 temporary jobs during construction and 52 permanent full-time jobs after the spa opens. The project is moving forward with support from Alberta's Investment and Growth Fund. "This landmark project sets the stage for future tourism development, fuelling the growth of our visitor economy by enhancing Edmonton's iconic river valley and promoting Alberta as a premier wellness destination." In an interview, Jon Mamela, Travel Alberta's chief commercial officer, described the project as an incredible win for Alberta tourism sector and a fast-growing wellness tourism industry. He expects the project will attract new visitors to the city, along with new collaborative investments in tourism ventures within Edmonton. "It raises the reputation and allure for other investors and operators to come in," he said. "It definitely will be a game-changer." During consultations with the community some residents questioned how a private venture in the city's beloved river valley would serve Edmonton. Arsenault said the company has done their "homework" to calm those concerns and get residents on board. He said the company is focused on giving Edmontonians and its visitors the chance to relax and unwind, in a new way. The scenic river valley is the perfect place for a silent, electronic-free escape that the company has planned, he said. "We're focused on bringing this exciting project to life now, and we feel the community is going love it," he said.
CTV News
17-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Nordic spa approved for Edmonton
The Scandinave Group has chosen Edmonton for its newest nordic spa location. The company applied for re-zoning of an area in Brander Gardens last fall and got approval a few months ago.
Global News
16-07-2025
- Business
- Global News
Nordic spa a go: Scandinave Spa's Edmonton location set to open in 2028
Months after a rezoning debate at city hall, Edmonton is officially getting its first nordic spa wellness centre. Ontario-based company Scandinave Spa is moving forward with building its fifth location in Canada on a property perched atop of North Saskatchewan River banks in southwest Edmonton that was previously owned by the University of Alberta trust. It's also the company's first Alberta location. Scandinave has four Nordic spas elsewhere: two in Quebec in Mont-Tremblant and Montreal, another north of Toronto near Collingwood, Ont., on the shore of Lake Huron, and one in the B.C. resort community of Whistler. Travel Alberta said Edmonton was chosen as the location for Scandinave Group's next spa due to its mix of natural and urban aspects. 'Sustainable and responsible construction and operations remain top priorities as the group aims to preserve and enhance the natural environment along the river valley,' a news release issued Wednesday said. Story continues below advertisement Scandinave Group co-founder and board chairman Vincent Damphousse played for the Edmonton Oilers in the 1990s and said the city holds a special place in his heart. 'I'm thrilled to see Scandinave Spa become part of the city's vibrant future. For me, this project is more than just a development. It's a way to give back to the community and help position Edmonton as a premier wellness destination,' Damphousse said. The Edmonton spa is expected to open in 2028. Travel Alberta said the attraction is expected to generate approximately $121 million in total economic impact over the first ten years. Tax revenue is expected to be about $18 million in that same timeframe, the agency said. Details on the size of the Edmonton facility and what amenities will be offered are not yet available, however Scandinave Spa's other locations range from 25,000 to 72,000 square feet and include hot and cold thermal pools, massage therapy, saunas, steam rooms and outdoor firepit relaxation areas. View image in full screen A rendering of what the Edmonton nordic spa could look like. 1 Construction is expected to generate about 330 temporary jobs, and after opening, Travel Alberta said the spa is expected to result in 52 permanent full-time jobs. Story continues below advertisement 'This exciting addition will not only create jobs and boost the local economy, but it will also enhance the quality of life for both residents and visitors and contribute to the kind of vibrant, livable communities that help attract global investment,' said Edmonton Global CEO Malcolm Bruce. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The visitor economy is a huge economic driver and offerings like this will help elevate the region's profile and draw the attention of investors and developers-unlocking further economic opportunities.' Travel Alberta said it supported the project through its new Investor Concierge program, which the government agency said provides strategic market insights, access to data, and a financial incentive. The project is also supported by the Government of Alberta's investment and growth fund (IGF), the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Global, and Explore Edmonton, the news release said. The fund is described as a deal-closing incentive designed to be offered in select late-stage investment decisions when there are 'demonstrable barriers to making a final investment decision in Alberta.' 2:26 Edmonton nordic spa one step closer to reality after council approves rezoning Earlier this year, Edmonton city council approved rezoning of the 10.5-acre piece of land in the south Edmonton neighbourhood of Brander Gardens, just west of Whitemud Drive near 53rd Avenue. Story continues below advertisement The large gated lot called Soaring Lands was bequeathed to the U of A in 2010 by the late Sandy Mactaggart and his wife Cecile. Mactaggart was one of the owners of Maclab Enterprises, a land development company responsible for much of the residential construction in Edmonton after 1949. However, the university found the grand mansion built in the 1950s could not support its teaching or research mandate so a decision was made to decommission the house and clear the site for future real estate development. Alberta has one other such facility — the 50,000 sq. ft. Kananaskis Nordic Spa, located 45 minutes west of Calgary that opened in 2018. This is not the first time someone has tried to build a Nordic spa in Edmonton but the first to apparently succeed. In 2019, two concepts were floated in the region. A group of entrepreneurs proposed an indoor-outdoor spa concept to be built near Fort Edmonton Park, but it never came to fruition after the Fort Edmonton Management Co. and the Edmonton Nordic Spa group said it had 'dissolved their partnership.' Also in 2019, Quebec company Groupe Nordik, which already has Nordic spas in several Canadian cities, announced plans for a $50-million spa west of Edmonton in Parkland County. The facility never ended up being built. Story continues below advertisement
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans for Nordic spa in Edmonton's river valley now official, developers say
Edmonton has been selected as the location of a new spa that promises to make a secluded corner of the city's southwest a destination for cold plunges, steam heat and silent relaxation. The city's first Nordic spa is slated for construction in Brander Gardens, overlooking the North Saskatchewan River. Canadian wellness brand Scandinave Group Inc. has been floating plans to construct the facility on property owned by the University of Alberta Properties Trust known as the Soaring lands. In a joint news release Wednesday, officials with Scandinave Group, along with the provincial government and Travel Alberta, announced that those plans are now official. Steve Arsenault, the company's president and CEO, said the project is moving forward after garnering support from Alberta's Investment and Growth Fund. The spa is now expected to open in the summer of 2028. "Bringing Scandinave Spa to Edmonton is a natural fit with our vision to create unforgettable wellness experiences in iconic destinations," Arsenault said in a statement. "We're proud to be part of Alberta's tourism future and to offer Edmontonians a unique way to unwind, year-round." Nordic spas, known as a Scandinavian spas or thermal spas, are centred around the concept of hydrotherapy where clients gently heat their bodies in saunas or hot tubs before cooling off with a cold bath and repeating the cycle. Scandinave Group Inc. — which has built similar spas in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia — said the spa will include saunas, steam baths, cold plunges and outdoor relaxation areas. Following a pitch to the City of Edmonton and a series of public consultations, councillors voted unanimously to pass a rezoning application for the project in February, clearing the way for construction. Arsenault said the project is expected to generate approximately $121 million in total economic impact over its first decade of operation while making Edmonton a destination for the growing wellness tourism industry. It's expected to result in 330 temporary jobs during construction and 52 permanent full-time jobs after the spa opens, company officials said. The announcement was lauded by Andrew Boitchenko, Alberta's tourism minister, who said the provincial government is proud to support the new venture. "This landmark project sets the stage for future tourism development, fuelling the growth of our visitor economy by enhancing Edmonton's iconic river valley and promoting Alberta as a premier wellness destination."
CBC
16-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Plans for Nordic spa in Edmonton's river valley now official, developers say
Edmonton has been selected as the location of a new spa that promises to make a secluded corner of the city's southwest a destination for cold plunges, steam heat and silent relaxation. The city's first Nordic spa is slated for construction in Brander Gardens, overlooking the North Saskatchewan River. Canadian wellness brand Scandinave Group Inc. has been floating plans to construct the facility on property owned by the University of Alberta Properties Trust known as the Soaring lands. In a joint news release Wednesday, officials with Scandinave Group, along with the provincial government and Travel Alberta, announced that those plans are now official. Steve Arsenault, the company's president and CEO, said the project is moving forward after garnering support from Alberta's Investment and Growth Fund. The spa is now expected to open in the summer of 2028. "Bringing Scandinave Spa to Edmonton is a natural fit with our vision to create unforgettable wellness experiences in iconic destinations," Arsenault said in a statement. "We're proud to be part of Alberta's tourism future and to offer Edmontonians a unique way to unwind, year-round." Nordic spas, known as a Scandinavian spas or thermal spas, are centred around the concept of hydrotherapy where clients gently heat their bodies in saunas or hot tubs before cooling off with a cold bath and repeating the cycle. Scandinave Group Inc. — which has built similar spas in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia — said the spa will include saunas, steam baths, cold plunges and outdoor relaxation areas. Following a pitch to the City of Edmonton and a series of public consultations, councillors voted unanimously to pass a rezoning application for the project in February, clearing the way for construction. Arsenault said the project is expected to generate approximately $121 million in total economic impact over its first decade of operation while making Edmonton a destination for the growing wellness tourism industry. It's expected to result in 330 temporary jobs during construction and 52 permanent full-time jobs after the spa opens, company officials said. The announcement was lauded by Andrew Boitchenko, Alberta's tourism minister, who said the provincial government is proud to support the new venture. "This landmark project sets the stage for future tourism development, fuelling the growth of our visitor economy by enhancing Edmonton's iconic river valley and promoting Alberta as a premier wellness destination."
