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Esquimalt Council greenlights one‑year mobile sauna trial at Gorge Park
The Esquimalt municipal council approved a one‑year pilot program to operate a mobile sauna at Gorge Park beginning in October. The service will be provided by Vancouver‑based sauna and cold‑plunge company Gatherwell.
The council added an amendment directing staff to explore subsidized pricing for low‑income residents, potentially using the municipality’s LIFE (Leisure Involvement for Everyone) program. The pilot is projected to generate between $30,000 and $50,000 in revenue for the township with no capital outlay. Officials expect the presence of the sauna to activate the park during winter months and possibly reduce vandalism.
Potential drawbacks noted in the staff report include noise, disruption to users seeking quiet recreation, and limited accessibility for lower‑income residents despite affordable pricing. Mayor Barbara Desjardins said she is interested in seeing how the project works, calling it a “win‑win trial period,” while Councillor Meagan Brame described it as a good thing to try.
Entities
Barbara Desjardins · Esquimalt · Esquimalt Gorge Park · Gatherwell · Gorge Park · Meagan Brame
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Esquimalt council approved a one‑year trial of mobile sauna operations at Gorge Park. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The pilot is estimated to generate $30,000‑$50,000 in revenue with zero capital cost. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The trial is scheduled to start in October 2026. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The project may reduce vandalism during winter months due to increased presence. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Council added an amendment to discuss subsidised pricing for low‑income residents via the LIFE program. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Mayor Barbara Desjardins expressed interest and support for the mobile sauna pilot. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The mobile sauna proposal was made by Vancouver‑based company Gatherwell. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Potential downsides include noise, disruption to other park users, and limited accessibility for low‑income residents. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Mayor Barbara Desjardins expressed interest in seeing how the mobile sauna project goes. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Esquimalt council approved a one‑year pilot for mobile sauna operations at Esquimalt Gorge Park, to start in October 2026. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Officials anticipate the sauna could reduce winter vandalism by increasing park presence. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The pilot is expected to generate between $30,000 and $50,000 in revenue during its first year with zero capital cost. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com