This week the Allas Sea Pool, which opened its doors to the general public on 12 May, celebrates the topping out of its new main building. The seaside pools, located in Katajanokka, will later on feature also a Baltic Sea Centre. The Centre will bring together three key themes of Allas Sea Pool: living by the sea, living responsibly, and immersing oneself in urban culture. Located by the sea, the Baltic Sea Centre will provide the general public, swimmers, tourists, families and other urban dwellers a window to the Baltic Sea. At the same time, it conveys the message of living responsibly by the sea.

Allas Sea Pool and the John Nurminen Foundation have concluded a three-year agreement on creating Baltic Sea-related content at the Baltic Sea Centre. In line with the agreement, the John Nurminen Foundation will create programmes and audiovisual content for the centre, including a Baltic Sea game aimed at primary school students. Children, schoolchildren and families are important target groups for the Baltic Sea Centre, but the agreement will also cover stakeholder get-togethers and expert lectures, for example, organised at Allas Sea Pool.

Towards a better future, inspired by a glorious past

The very essence of the operations of both the Allas Sea Pool and the John Nurminen Foundation involves safeguarding the diversity of marine culture and a responsible lifestyle that protects the Baltic Sea.

‘Today and in the future, the Allas Sea Pool will provide travellers and the people of Helsinki with the possibility of enjoying wonderful days by the sea. Spa culture has always been about enjoying clean water and relaxing by the sea, so our stance is that corporate responsibility and protecting the seas are both features of comprehensive wellbeing. We want to tell the stories of the history of our shores, the opportunities for life by the sea today, and how our choices benefit the Baltic Sea and its preservation for future generations’, says Esa Kandelberg, Program Manager at Allas.

The John Nurminen Foundation has worked for Baltic Sea protection for more than 10 years. During this time, the Foundation has launched 25 Clean Baltic Sea projects, of which 17 have been completed. These projects, combined with other Baltic Sea cooperation projects, have reduced the annual phosphorus load that causes eutrophication in the Gulf of Finland by approximately 75%.

‘We are very excited to launch our cooperation and to see the Baltic Sea Centre completed: finally, Baltic Sea protection will take the main stage, embraced by Helsinki and the Baltic Sea. Allas fuses Helsinki’s great maritime history and the city of today. The Baltic Sea, its history and its future, are also at the core of our own maritime culture operations; this is why it is so inspiring for us to create content also for the Centre. People have a great desire to make a difference and be a part of Baltic Sea protection. At its best, the Baltic Sea Centre will delight, give food for thought, and answers to questions like how we, as individuals, can have an impact on the status of the Baltic Sea’, says Annamari Arrakoski-Engardt, Secretary General of the John Nurminen Foundation.

The Allas Sea Pool seaside baths provide new ways to enjoy the Baltic Sea in Helsinki’s prime location. Allas is open all year round, offering experiences and invigorating activities for both travellers and city dwellers. Allas Sea Pool is an oasis in the city, featuring an extensive pool area and magnificent saunas. Allas can accommodate 3,500 people at a time, equalling up to 10,000 visitors a day. With the new main building, Allas becomes the place for the best views, providing a gardenlike oasis at our most southern seashore. Its land and sea areas comprise almost a hectare of the city centre. Allas wants to give the people of Helsinki a modern oasis for the good life, right at the heart of the city.
www.allasseapool.fi/eng.html

The mission of the John Nurminen Foundation, established in 1992, is to save the Baltic Sea and its heritage for future generations. The objective of the Clean Baltic Sea projects is to improve the status of the Baltic Sea with concrete measures that reduce the nutrient load and environmental risks faced by the sea. The Clean Baltic Sea projects are financed with private donations and public funding. The Foundation’s publication and exhibition activities focus on the history of seafaring, exploration and cartography, and making them better known to the general public. The activities are supported by the Foundation’s extensive collections of naval art, maritime antiquities, and ancient maps. The Foundation publishes non-fiction books on related topics, and maintains the Loki online service, which is free for all.
www.johnnurmisensaatio.fi/en

More information:
Esa Kandelberg
Program Manager
Allas Sea Pool
+358 400 481 431
etunimi.sukunimi@allasseapool.fi

Annamari Arrakoski-Engardt
Secretary General
John Nurminen Foundation
Tel. 0400 477 878
etunimi.sukunimi@jnfoundation.fi