Imatra City Hall is proposed to be moved to Imatrankoski in Koskenlinkki

The current city hall would initially serve as a temporary space for the Virta Cultural Center.

The City of Imatra has investigated the possibility of moving the city hall's operations to Imatrankoski.

New premises are planned for Koskenlinkki, located at the intersection of Heikinkatu and Tainionkoskentie, where office space will be vacated during the spring. The same property is currently occupied by, among others, Imatra Seudun Kehitysyhtiö and Mitra.

The move aims to revitalize Imatrankoski. The goal is also to find cost savings through the move.

The city government will discuss the relocation plans on Monday, February 17.2, after which the matter will potentially be considered by the city council. If everything goes according to plan, the move could take place in the fall of 2025.

Previous plans utilized in work

Planning for the move of the city hall to Imatrankoski began in 2021. In the fall of 2024, the relocation plans were returned to and work continued based on previous plans.

Koskenlinki would have approximately 1500 square meters of space on four floors, which is significantly less than the current city hall. All functions and services of the current city hall and about a hundred city employees are being transferred. Customer service would take place at street level, with office and meeting space planned for the upper floors.

Parking spaces have also been mapped around Koskenlinki. Parking for customers will be available in the immediate vicinity of the building's entrance. Parking space for personnel has also been considered, including in the Vääräntalo parking lots.

Current city hall for other uses

The relocation planning has also considered the continuation of the current city hall.

Initially, the city hall would serve as a temporary space for the Virta Cultural Center. The Cultural Center, completed in 1986, will require renovation in the coming years.

- Planning for the renovation will start this year with a needs assessment. Work will possibly begin at the end of 2026, if things go according to plan, the mayor said. Matias Hilden says.

The arrangement would enable the current City Hall meeting rooms to continue to be used even after the move. For example, the City Council would continue to hold meetings at City Hall for the time being.

After the renovation of the Cultural Centre, the current City Hall could be used, for example, as a space for the Wilderness and Nature Culture Museum. In that case, the City Council would move to the Kaleva Hall of the Virta Cultural Centre.

Positive effects of relocation

The move to the city hall has been included as part of the economic adjustment program.

The goal is to find cost savings through, among other things, smaller square footage. About half of the current city hall is currently in active use.

According to estimates, the move could achieve annual cost savings of approximately 400 euros for the parent city.

-However, it should be noted that the savings at the group level are smaller. However, the move will enable the efficient renovation of the Virta Cultural Centre and an efficient diversion of the city's services, which will also have a significant economic impact, although it cannot be accurately estimated, says Mayor Hilden.

The new premises would require moderate modifications. The Koskenlink premises have been used as offices before, so a major renovation will be avoided.

According to current estimates, the move would require investments of just under 700 euros, with a payback period for the city of approximately 000 years.