Cottesloe locals could soon be able to jump in a sauna before their ocean dip if a new plan for above the North Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club gets the tick of approval.
The application from Alchemy Saunas is currently out for community consultation to gauge whether locals are in favour of the proposal, to be built atop the NCSLSC which is currently used for seating by residents and visitors.
Details about the project shared on the Town of Cottesloe website show the single-storey sauna is set to be built on the northern boundary of the ski shed roof.
The sauna will only enclose 33 per cent of the roof area, with the remaining space designed for “public access and uninterrupted ocean views.”
Alchemy Saunas shared the proposal to its social media this week. It would be the company’s 11th sauna across Perth – the latest project in Burswood still underway.
The business currently has saunas by the ocean at City Beach next to Clancy’s Fish Bar and Port Beach next to Coast Port Beach.
“We’re excited to share our plans for Alchemy North Cottesloe! Community is at the forefront of everything we do, so ongoing public use of the site is something we’re very passionate about,” the company wrote on its social media.
“In addition to a beautiful traditional sauna venue, we will upgrade and continue to maintain a new seating area, including added greenery, a water station and uninterrupted ocean views.
“If you believe in our vision, we would truly appreciate your support.”
The roof of the ski shed is currently used as an informal seating area for locals who often gather on plastic chairs to soak up the view.
Resident Linzy Goundrey said she was in favour of a sauna making its way to the North Cottesloe neighbourhood.
“As a ratepayer I think it’s a great idea and looks like the design fits into the environment,” she said.
“The more health and wellness opportunities the better. Nothing better than a sauna followed by an ocean dip.”
Local James Walsh said the design was “excellent” and would be a “fantastic addition to the amenity of the area.”
“A significant improvement to the current concrete slab [and] plastic chairs, with plenty of residual area for public seating,” he said.
If the proposal goes ahead, Alchemy Saunas would be subleasing the roof space from the NCSLSC.
Town of Cottesloe councillors voted unanimously to support the commercial terms for the proposed project at their council meeting on April 28.
Under the proposed arrangements, the club and town would both earn income through a base rent plus a share of the sauna business’ revenue.
Councillor Helen Sadler said she supports the project for what it will bring to businesses during the colder seasons.
“What leads me to support [the project] is that it … will be for a new amenity which is actually really popular in the community and is likely to be more popular in winter rather than summer,” she said.
“[It] will support the local businesses who often struggle in winter when there’s not very many people coming down.
“By having that modest increase in traffic and increased community meeting point will actually support other local businesses there, and that is one of the things that we do need to be thoughtful about because it is quite can be quite difficult for businesses to do well at that time of year.”
The project will be out for community consultation until June 25, when feedback will be collected and presented to council for its consideration before a lease is approved.
The final decision for the sauna lies with the Western Australian Planning Commission due to the site location. Councillors will use community feedback to determine their recommendation to the WAPC.
A pop-up community information session will be held June 13 between 9.30am and 11.30am at Lesser Hall in Cottesloe.
A representative from Alchemy Sauna and the town will be in attendance to answer any questions about the proposal.
