Presentation: planning for the extensive renovation of the swimming pool will be launched – planning for the sports center on hold 

Decision-making about the future of the swimming pool is underway.

To those gathered on Monday, February 2, 2026 to the city council It was proposed to start planning for an extensive renovation of the swimming pool. 

At the same time, it was proposed that if the decision is made to start renovation planning, the ongoing planning of the new sports center will be suspended. 

City Board accepted the motion after a heated discussion.

The Education and Welfare Committee discussed the matter in January. The final decision will be made by the City Council.

Swimming pool more urgent than sports hall 

The planning of the new sports center was initiated by the council. in May 2025 after making a decision. 

However, in the current economic situation, planning the renovation of the sports center and swimming pool in parallel is not appropriate.  

—Choices must be made. The situation at the swimming pool is more urgent based on the technical condition and user feedback, and the decisions made regarding the swimming pool will directly and indirectly affect the future of the sports center. The council groups have also expressed their support for the renovation of the swimming pool, the mayor said. Matias Hilden says. 

The design of the sports hall can be continued at a later date. The city's investment capacity must also be taken into account. 

The Sports Hall has been completed in the summer of 2025. maintenance repairs, which have helped improve indoor air quality. However, at some point decisions will have to be made regarding either new construction or renovation.  

The majority wanted the current hall to be renovated. 

The future of the swimming pool has been discussed for a long time.  

The current swimming pool was put into use in 1966. The building has accumulated a significant repair debt and if it is to continue to be used, the building requires renovation. Another alternative has been the construction of a completely new swimming pool.  

The renovation has been decided on the basis of consultations held in the fall of 2025.  

— During the autumn, the elderly and disabled councils, the youth council, sports clubs, personnel, entrepreneurs and council groups have been consulted about the future of the swimming hall. The majority wants the swimming hall to be kept in its current location and renovated, the sports manager Henna Kaijanen says. 

The location serves a variety of user groups, and the proximity of Vuoksi offers opportunities for open-water swimming that are not available elsewhere in Imatra. 

If extensive renovations are eventually decided upon, the renovations will require the hall to be closed for a period of time. The closure will inevitably weaken the possibilities for organizing sports services. 

Renovation also involves the risk of failure. It cannot be completely ruled out that indoor air problems will continue after the renovation. In addition, structural weaknesses may be found in the building during the renovation, which will result in significant additional investments. 

For more information: 

Sports Manager Henna Kaijanen, henna.kaijanenimatra.fi (henna[dot]kaijanen[at]imatra[dot]fi), tel. 020 617 1097 

mayor Matias Hilden, matias.hildenimatra.fi (matias[dot]hilden[at]imatra[dot]fi), tel. 020 617 2200 

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Update on Monday 2.2.: Updated information that the city government approved the proposal on Monday, February 2.2nd.

Update on Thursday 29.1.: Updated information that the matter will be discussed by the City Council on Monday, February 2.2nd and a link to the City Council agenda has been added.

Addition on Wednesday, January 21, 2026: The board approved the proposal. The matter will next be discussed by the city council. 

Summary of decisions of the Education and Welfare Board