Plans for Nordic spa in Edmonton's river valley now official, developers say
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."
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