Floating Spa Approved for Vancouver’s Kitsilano Marina Despite Neighbourhood Opposition

Sarah Desjardins

7/30/20262 min read

A Second World War-era marine vessel converted into a floating hydrotherapy spa will be moored at Vancouver’s Heritage Harbour Marina in Kitsilano, despite opposition from residents concerned about its size and impact on waterfront views.

Vancouver City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to rezone the marina and Vancouver Maritime Museum site in Hadden Park.

The rezoning allows HAVN Saunas to operate the waterfront wellness centre at the marina. The company currently runs a similar floating sauna business in Victoria’s harbour.

The proposed spa would be approximately 45 metres long and 10 metres high.

Residents Raise Concerns About Size and Views

Some Kitsilano residents have argued the vessel is too large for the marina and could block public views of the waterfront.

Resident Elvira Lount organized a petition opposing the project that gathered more than 2,500 signatures.

“Fundamentally, a vessel of such a massive size is simply not a good fit for this small marina, as anyone familiar with the marina should realize,” Lount told council during Tuesday’s public hearing.

Resident Amanda Slater said she initially thought a floating sauna could be a welcome addition to the area but changed her mind after seeing the harbour.

“At first, I didn’t understand why so many people signed the petition opposing this project. A sauna on the water done right sounds wonderful,” she said.

“Then one day I was down at the harbour … the structure is simply too big for this bay.”

Opponents have also expressed concern that the barge could overcrowd a marina they say is not large enough to accommodate it.

Spa Expected to Generate Museum Funding

The Vancouver Maritime Museum Society approached the city last year about partnering with the sauna operator to generate additional funding for the museum in Hadden Park.

Museum executive director David Jordan said revenue from the agreement will support school programs, exhibitions and general operations.

“We’re on cloud nine here. This is transformational for the museum,” Jordan said.

The museum will receive a $250,000 moorage fee from HAVN, he added.

“We already do moorage in the harbour to private individuals, so this will create a new revenue stream for the museum,” Jordan said.

Kitsilano resident and artist Kate Armstrong spoke in support of the project, saying the agreement would provide greater financial stability for the museum while creating a new recreational amenity.

She described the floating spa as a health and lifestyle service that was “long overdue” in Vancouver.

Critics Question Financial Arrangement

Lount remained skeptical about whether the museum would receive a fair share of the spa’s future revenue.

The museum has an operating budget of approximately $1.6 million, and Lount questioned whether a fixed moorage fee represented the best possible financial arrangement.

“Not only is this lousy deal a sellout of public waterfront space, it’s not even to the highest bidder,” she said.

Despite the objections, council approved the rezoning unanimously.

The floating spa is expected to open next summer.

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