Floating sauna built on WWII-era barge coming to Victoria's inner harbour

Victoria city council approved a rezoning to allow for a new business in the city's inner harbour that has been generating quite a lot of interest.

HAVN is a floating saunathat will be tied upat the pier at Ship Point. It will bebuilt on a Second World War-era marine vessel thatis currently being retrofitted at Ogden Point.

The venue will feature saunas, cold pools and green space.

"The point of all of this is to creatively build an urban space that people can come and use that isn't a restaurant or a bar or a cafe," HAVN CEO Nick Van Buren said, adding that similar business models have had success in Europe and eastern Canada.

WATCH|Floating spa coming to Victoria harbour:

Floating spa coming to Victoria harbour

2 years ago

Duration 1:50

Victoria city council has approved the creation of a floating spa in Victoria's Inner Harbour, the brainchild of Nick Van Buren who is creating the facility out of an old boat and reclaimed driftwood.

Van Buren estimates a visit to HAVN will cost around $60 to $70, roughly on par with the per-person price of a nice dinner out.

He adds that they plan to offer discounts to members of the LIFE Program, which gives people with low incomesaccess to recreational programs and services.

Hehopes the venue will bring vibrancy to Ship Point.

Victoria council unanimouslyapproved the project Thursday night, although some speakers voiced opposition during the council meeting.

Speaker Bob June said the inner harbour should be maintained as a working harbour andHAVN will take up valuable mooring space. He also saidthe vessel is "not attractive."

Another speaker, Paul Burke, referredto it as a"monstrosity" that"might be a prop for a movie scene of Mad Max."

Van Buren saysHAVNis not a finished product, and the company plans to add vibrant colours to the vessel'sblack hull.

"I'm confident that it's going tobe a warm environment and a welcoming esthetic when it's completed," he said.