I encourage residents to try the new sauna at the Haines pool. Besides offering a respite from winter’s cold, saunas increase circulation and may also improve heart health, according to recent studies. They are an ancient and proven technology. The new sauna is also a great way to warm up before or after swimming in our beautifully renovated pool.
Truly a community effort, the sauna project raised $11,000 cash from individual contributions of residents. The sauna kit (interior siding, benches, door, heater) cost $6,700 and electrical work cost $3,500. Including donated planning work, administration, labor and materials, the final price tag came to more than $17,000.
Thanks to the dozens of people who donated to make the sauna possible. Thank you also for your patience. The project took seven years to complete, but the final result is a good one that accommodated suggestions and changes that satisfied the Haines Borough, pool management and other pool users.
The largest contributions to the sauna project, either in cash, labor or materials, came from Haines Borough, Lutak Lumber, Jonathan Richardson, Chip and Heather Lende, John Carlson, Thom Ely, Ira Henry, Tom Faverty, Matt Whitman, Bill Holton, Dave Stickler, and Larry Larson.
Haines Borough employees Debra Schnabel, Brad Ryan, Sean Bell and RaeAnn Miner provided critical planning and administrative support.
Please give a shout out to these folks when you see them around town.
Tom Morphet