BURST
A floating sauna aboard a converted Second World War-era barge could be coming to Vancouver’s Kitsilano waterfront.
The Vancouver Maritime Museum said it is working with Havn Saunas to bring its second sauna and hydrotherapy facility to Heritage Harbour marina located just outside the museum with an anticipated opening date of mid-2027.
However, the proposal still needs approval from the city, said David Jordan, the museum’s executive director. “The city doesn’t really have a process for a project like this. It’s outside of the box.”
The museum and its artifacts are owned by the city and leased to the non-profit Vancouver Maritime Museum Society, which runs and manages the attraction, land and water lot.
A motion by Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung on Wednesday asks staff to work with the museum and Havn to find a process to move the proposal forward.
Housing Havn at Heritage Harbour is a win-win-win for the museum, the company and Vancouver, said Jordan. “We’re really excited about this.”
Havn has been hunting for a location for a second barge after the success of its Victoria location, which opened in the Inner Harbour in 2023. Amenities include saunas, cold pools, hot tubs and lounge areas.
The company had explored other locations in Vancouver, including False Creek/Plaza of Nations and a site in North Vancouver.
“There’s not many places one can moor in Vancouver proper. Heritage Harbour is situated in a perfect location for them,” said Jordan, noting Havn’s calm and contemplative vibe fits in well with the natural setting while the vessel, a restored 1943 naval supply barge, fits with the museum’s mandate to showcase the maritime history of the Pacific Northwest and Arctic.
The partnership would also provide the museum with a new, much-needed revenue stream.
“We haven’t had, like most arts and culture organizations, increases to our operating budget,” Jordan said. “The revenue will help us build a sustainable revenue model.”
The barge would also benefit the city, “activating the waterfront in a really dynamic way,” he added.
The barge would be docked in the marina’s northernmost berth, protecting the harbour from storms and king tides.
It won’t displace current users, which include a variety of privately-owned heritage boats, an artist residency on a Norwegian-built house boat, and a heritage boatbuilding club.
Kirby-Yung said the facility could bolster the city’s waterfront amenities and institutions in Vanier Park, including the Museum of Vancouver and the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, and boost Vancouver’s tourism industry.
“Other municipalities are finding ways to welcome new experiences and overcoming red tape to make that happen, as a result they are landing new attractions at Vancouver’s expense,” she said in the motion.
“Losing this opportunity would mean loss of moorage revenue that would support sustaining the Vancouver Maritime Museum” and other benefits and improvements for the city-owned dock and marina.
The museum is in the process of revitalizing its attractions, including its star the St. Roch exhibit, to make it more accessible and highlight the contributions of First Nations to the RCMP vessel’s Arctic voyages.
The project is expected to be completed late next year.