Haapasaari Development Project
The main focus of the project is the former Camping Centre, Haapasaari island located in Imatra. Haapasaari is located on Lake Saimaa, approximately 1 km from the Imatra Harbor and Imatra Spa, the distance from Holiday Club Saimaa -spa is approximately 4.5 km. The opportunities offered by the Haapasaari Excursion Centre are being fully utilized, opening the island for recreational use for a wide range of target groups. The Haapasaari development plan and piloting of new activities will bring added value to residents of Imatra, the Rauha–Ukonniemi tourism area, the South Karelia region and the entire Saimaa area.
In developing Haapasaari, EKVAS exploits its experience in managing and improving the Muukonsaari Excursion Centre. The maintenance model for both Centers will be developed in parallel. The planning work will also take into account the goal of preserving the island’s nature and environment as close to their natural state as possible. The project will further examine options for improving access to the island, including technical plans and solutions for a crossing route to Haapasaari via Malonsaari and Mikonsaari. The planning process will utilize the study on suitable bridge solutions commissioned by the City of Imatra in 2021–2022.
Muukonsaari- and Karinsaari islands will also be developed as part of the project alongside Haapasaari. The potential of these three beautiful island nature sites will be utilized for different groups and a wide range of activities, which will be developed and piloted together with the project’s collaboration network.
Work Packages of the Project:
WP1: Management and Use Plan for the Haapasaari Excursion Centre
- A general condition assessment of the buildings will be commissioned to determine usability and identify immediate maintenance needs.
- Alternative solutions for the property maintenance of the Haapasaari and Muukonsaari Excursion Centers will be examined, and a plan will be prepared for the upkeep and supervision of the areas and buildings.
- A use plan for the area will be prepared based on extensive consultation with residents and the project’s cooperation network.
- Rules and guidelines for different user groups will be created.
WP2: Accessibility of Haapasaari
- An accessibility assessment of the Haapasaari Excursion Centre will be carried out, along with a plan for necessary improvements.
- The plan for crossing solutions to Haapasaari via the nearby islands will be commissioned.
- The construction costs of the crossing structures will be assessed to support investment planning.
WP3: Productization of the Haapasaari and Muukonsaari Visitor Centers and the Cabin on Karinsaari
- Pilot excursions to Haapasaari for different groups in cooperation with various organizations, schools and other partners.
- Based on the feedback and experiences gained, develop excursion concepts tailored to different target groups.
- Prepare communication materials about the recreational use opportunities in Haapasaari and Muukonsaari for various user groups: individual day visitors, individual overnight visitors (cyclists, paddlers, etc.), sauna evenings, group events, tourism operators, associations organising camps and more.
- Publish information about the island destinations on multiple platforms, such as the website, Outdoor Active, Luontoon.fi, Visit Finland’s Datahub and others.
- Carry out communication work in cooperation with the City of Imatra, GoSaimaa and Saimaa Geopark.
- Collaboration with the Rauha–Ukonniemi project.
WP4: Responsibility and Safety
- A nature survey will be commissioned to identify endangered species and/or sensitive habitats.
- A safety plan and a rescue plan will be prepared for the Haapasaari and Muukonsaari Excursion Centers as well as the cabin on Karinsaari.
- Obtaining the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) -label and an environmental certification for the island destinations included in the project.
The project is implemented by South Karelian Foundation for Recreation Areas. The project will begin in May 2025 and continue until autumn 2026.
The project has received EU rural development funding from the Southeast Finland ELY Centre. The EU funding share for the project is 100%.