Community Sauna Highland (CSH) will build an accessible, 26-seat electric sauna in Inverness’s Bellfield Park, providing affordable, community-led wellness and social connection for local residents.
Estimated Cost
£150,000
1. What do you want to do?
We are seeking funding to cover development and construction costs for our flagship sauna facility in the south-east corner of Bellfield Park, Inverness. This funding will specifically cover:
- Architect Fees: Detailed design of the structure and securing building warrant
- Ground preparation works: Fencing and securing the site, vegetation clearance
- Arboricultural Fees: Arboricultural support as outlined in the Tree Management Plan
- Utilities and Service Installation: Costs essential to connect to water, sewerage, electricity
- Construction Costs: Materials, parts and labour costs for construction of the sauna, changing facilities, office, cold plunge pools, outdoor cold showers and seating
- Management costs: Administration of construction contract and supervision of the works
2. Why is your project important for your community?
Inverness residents need affordable, accessible wellness spaces. Our project transforms an under-utilized, overgrown corner of Bellfield Park into a restorative "third space" for health and social connection. Typically existing outdoor saunas cater for small groups and are located in remote or out of town areas, and our aim is that by providing a larger facility embedded in a residential area we can facilitate regular sauna bathing for a wider audience.
-Alignment: This project directly aligns with the National Planning Framework 4 objectives of providing liveable and productive places, providing a central community wellness resource accessible within a 20-minute walk or cycle for a large percentage of Inverness residents, well connected to the wider area by public transport. Our development will contribute to the objectives of the Inverness City Place Plan's objectives by providing a high quality facility for both local residents and tourists. We will power the electric sauna stove using renewable energy to reduce our carbon footprint, and provide biodiversity enhancement to a neglected corner of Bellfield Park.
-Evidence: Our community consultation (Feb 2025) demonstrated strong local support, with residents highlighting the sauna as a safe, peaceful, and healthy place to gather. We have engaged extensively with the community via public meetings, Q&A sessions in the park, and door-to-door communication. Our voluntary steering group brings together a wide range of supporters to provide input to the design and operational plans for the sauna. While minimal concerns were raised regarding noise and visual impact, we have mitigated these by adjusting opening times (8am–8pm) to match local tennis court usage, committing to hedge growth for screening, and establishing a strict "no music/no alcohol" policy to maintain a peaceful atmosphere allowing connection with nature and green space
3. What positive impact will your project have?
We expect the following outcomes:
-Improved Community Health and Wellbeing: Facilitating regular thermal contrast bathing to promote physical health, enhance emotional wellbeing, reduce social isolation and foster a stronger sense of community
-Inclusive Access: We are committed to an equitable model, offering concessionary rates and partnering with NHS link workers and third-sector organizations to provide free social-prescribing sessions. The site has been designed to be accessible to as wide a range of needs as possible, including wheelchair users
-Environmental Improvement: We will nurture the site, enhancing biodiversity with native planting and contributing to the maintenance of public toilets and the adjacent outdoor gym
-Vibrancy: Increasing year-round footfall in Bellfield Park, which helps maintain site security and supports existing local businesses such the cafe in the park. Any profit generated will be re-invested in projects and activities to boost community wellness in the local area and the wider highland region.
4. What key milestones have you achieved so far and what will be your next steps?
-Status: We are in the advanced design and development phase.
-Milestones Achieved:
-Engagement: Extensive community consultation completed (Nov 2024–Feb 2025).
-Planning: Planning permission (Ref: 25/00574/FUL) secured.
-Feasibility/Case: Full Business Plan created; Arboriculture impact assessment and parking surveys completed.
-Technical: Tree protection plans and landscaping schemes submitted.
-Legal: Outline Lease terms agreed with Highland Council
-Next Steps: Finalise detailed design, obtain building warrants, tender for site preparation/installation, and proceed to the build phase.
5. What is your anticipated start/end date?
Our project is designed for long-term community operation. Following successful funding acquisition, we anticipate a construction period of approximately 3–4 months. We aim to commence the build as soon as final design and funding are secured, with a targeted end date of Winter 2026/2027.
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