The popular sauna in Gothenburg is now closing

10/29/2023, 2:48:21 PM

Highlights: The sauna in Askimsviken in Gothenburg is now closing. Despite major renovations last year, the building is in poor condition and is in danger of being demolished. As of 30 October, the sauna association is no longer allowed to stay on the premises as there is a risk that the roof will cave in when the snow comes. The municipality is awaiting a feasibility study from the city property administration to determine how bad the building was in the 1950s and 1960s. The Surf Center also uses the site during the summer for youth courses.

The disappointment is great among the winter bathers who meet for perhaps the last time in Askimsbastun in Gothenburg. Despite major renovations last year, the building is in poor condition and is in danger of being demolished. "The sauna means almost everything," says Marianne Pipping Ekström, 89.

The building has stood on the waterfront in Askimsviken in Gothenburg since the 1950s and has been run by volunteers since the 1980s. By the sauna association in the winter and by a surf center during the summer. In addition to the sauna, there is a staffed café and a hot tub for cold baths.

Normally, winter bathing at the sauna lasts from the first of October to the last of April. But after October 30 this year, the sauna will be closed – in uncertainty as to whether it will ever be allowed to reopen.

Now, the municipality of Gothenburg, which owns the building, has announced that the building is in too poor condition and that it may need to be demolished, which GP was first to report on.

The roof is in danger of collapsing

Last year, among other things, the facades were renovated at a cost of just over SEK 800,000. Despite this, the future of the sauna is uncertain. As of 30 October, the sauna association is no longer allowed to stay on the premises as there is a risk that the roof will cave in when the snow comes.

"It's terribly sad and very sad," says Kajsa Grönkvist, chairman of the association.

"Last year, I think, we had five or six thousand visitors, so we play an important role in the municipality for wellness and public health.

However, the decision has not yet been made. The municipality is awaiting a feasibility study from the city property administration to determine how bad the building is.

Raised many world champions

It's not just the sauna that's affected by a shutdown. Surfcenter also uses the site during the summer for youth courses, among other things.

"Historically, this bay has produced an incredible number of world champions over the years," says Hans Wallén, director of the Surf Center.

Among other things, he has a history in sailing and has both World Championship gold and Olympic silver in his luggage. Hans Wallén believes that it would be a great loss if the premises disappeared, not least because the bay has safe conditions for surfing.

"There will be a big void for the people of Gothenburg.