Scandinave Spa Coming to Edmonton, Backed by Former NHL Star
Vincent Damphousse, co-founder and board chairman of the Scandinave Group, played for the Edmonton Oilers in the 1990s and says the city still holds a special place in his heart.
"I'm excited to see Scandinave Spa become part of Edmonton’s dynamic future," Damphousse said. "This project means more to me than just development—it’s a way to give back and help position Edmonton as a leading wellness destination."
The new Scandinave Spa is scheduled to open in 2028. According to Travel Alberta, the facility is expected to generate approximately $121 million in total economic impact over its first decade. Tax revenue over that period is projected to reach $18 million.
While specific details about the size and amenities of the Edmonton location haven't been released yet, other Scandinave Spa facilities range between 25,000 and 72,000 square feet. They typically feature hot and cold pools, massage services, saunas, steam rooms, and outdoor relaxation areas with fire pits.
Economic and Job Impact
Construction of the facility is expected to create around 330 temporary jobs, and once operational, the spa will employ 52 full-time staff, according to Travel Alberta.
“This exciting development won’t just create jobs and stimulate the local economy,” said Malcolm Bruce, CEO of Edmonton Global. “It will also improve quality of life for residents and visitors alike, and help create vibrant, livable communities that attract global investment.”
Bruce added that the spa will enhance the region’s profile and boost the visitor economy, unlocking further opportunities for investment and development.
Public and Private Support
The project is receiving support from Travel Alberta’s new Investor Concierge program, which offers strategic market insights, data access, and financial incentives. Additional backing is coming from the Government of Alberta’s Investment and Growth Fund (IGF), the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Global, and Explore Edmonton.
The IGF is designed to help close investment deals by addressing late-stage barriers that might otherwise prevent companies from choosing Alberta.
Site and Background
Earlier this year, Edmonton city council approved rezoning for the 10.5-acre site in Brander Gardens, located just west of Whitemud Drive near 53rd Avenue. Known as Soaring Lands, the gated property was donated to the University of Alberta in 2010 by the late Sandy Mactaggart and his wife, Cecile.
Mactaggart, a co-owner of Maclab Enterprises, was instrumental in Edmonton’s post-1949 residential development boom. However, the university determined the grand mansion on the site, built in the 1950s, was not suitable for academic purposes. The house was eventually decommissioned, and the land cleared for future development.
A Long-Awaited Vision for a Nordic Spa
While Alberta is already home to the 50,000 sq. ft. Kananaskis Nordic Spa, which opened west of Calgary in 2018, this will be Edmonton’s first successful Nordic spa project.
Previous attempts to bring a spa of this kind to the area fell through. In 2019, a proposed spa near Fort Edmonton Park was cancelled after the partnership behind it dissolved. That same year, Groupe Nordik, a Quebec-based company, announced plans for a $50-million spa in Parkland County, but the project was never realized.
With support from multiple levels of government and private investors, the new Scandinave Spa is poised to become a cornerstone in Edmonton’s growing wellness and tourism sector.
