A floating spa will soon be stationed on the Kitsilano waterfront after city council approved the rezoning of the Vancouver Maritime Museum property. Councillors unanimously approved the proposal Tuesday, which will see a Second World War-era barge repurposed into a wellness spa offering saunas and hydrotherapy at Heritage Harbour Marina. The Maritime Museum teamed up with HAVN Saunas—which already has a floating spa in Victoria’s Inner Harbour—on the pitch, in hopes the attraction will bring more foot traffic to the museum. The company will also provide funding to the Vancouver Maritime Museum Society under the agreement. Several people showed up at city hall to voice their opinions on the project Tuesday, after council received 139 letters in support of the spa and 90 opposed. Some were excited about the tourism and economic potential a new attraction could bring to the area and how it could prop up the museum, while others were concerned about the barge blocking the view and increased traffic. The spa is expected to open in 2027, and HAVN projects it will receive 200-300 visitors a day.
