HAVN Sauna

This is a City-initiated application (at the request of the Vancouver Maritime Museum) to rezone the subject site from R1-1 (Residential) District to CD-1 (Comprehensive Development) District. This rezoning is to maintain museum and park use, and to add a wellness centre use, and to support the Vancouver Maritime Museum’s long-term viability.

The wellness use would take the form of a floating hydrotherapy vessel, moored within the existing Heritage Harbour Marina.

This restored historic vessel is 150 feet long. It reaches a maximum height of approximately 34 feet (above the water line) at its highest point, with a main upper deck height of 24 feet.

This remains a vessel within an existing marina setting, rather than a new land-based building.

Like many cultural institutions, the Vancouver Maritime Museum faces rising operating costs while public funding for ongoing operations has not kept pace and is increasingly competitive. Developing stable, earned revenue is critical to maintaining exhibits, public and school programs, supporting staff, and preserving the harbour.

Over many years, the museum has pursued grants, fundraising, and other revenue strategies, but these sources are inconsistent and insufficient to support long-term operations.

The Vancouver Maritime Museum’s Executive Director has not seen an opportunity of this scale and stability to support the museum’s future in his two decades of experience as a non-profit leader.

This partnership offers a reliable source of funding to achieve the three main pillars of the organization: maintain and grow exhibits and programs for the public and schools, support staff recruitment, retention, and development and preserve the harbour. This is an opportunity to secure long-term sustainability.

No. The marina is already a working harbour with managed moorage, and this proposal fits within that existing use. Public access to paths, docks and the shoreline will remain unchanged, and no parkland is being removed or restricted. This proposal will add a compatible use within the marina, while keeping the surrounding parks open and accessible to all.

The Vancouver Maritime Museum’s mandate is to create relevant exhibits and programs, and this rezoning process will support that vitality. In addition, it will draw new people to the Museum site who may not have visited before. While supporting the Museum’s long-term viability, this proposal offers a unique opportunity to bring new life to a historic repurposed WWII vessel, and strengthen the Museum’s connection to the water.

In addition to securing the future of this beloved, long-time community amenity:

Marina Upgrades: If approved, the marina’s power, sewer, and water systems will be upgraded as part of this proposal.

Wellness and recreation: Hydrotherapy is growing locally and internationally. HAVN contributes to Vancouver’s wellness and recreation offerings, helping activate the waterfront and support a broader mix of cultural and recreational experiences.

Existing Infrastructure: This location has existing moorage infrastructure, existing parking, access, and transportation opportunities.

Supporting Tourism: Tourism is one of Vancouver’s largest and most essential industries. Encouraging visitors and residents to this area, which holds many cultural and civic assets, supports our local economy.

Regulations do not allow effluent discharge into the ocean. The facility will connect to City sewer and water infrastructure and be managed under those systems. As with any in-water project, this proposal will require a robust environmental assessment led by qualified engineers.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), along with City environmental departments, oversees environmental impacts.

No. Existing moorage, public access (including docks, shoreline, pathways) will remain open. Maintaining navigability of the harbour is a requirement.

No. The experience is intentionally designed to be quiet and low-impact. HAVN operates as a phone-free, alcohol free, self-guided and calm environment

No. Any future proposals would require an independent application, review, and approval.

The Vancouver Maritime Museum and the City of Vancouver anticipate that existing parking will be sufficient for additional visitors. There is an oversupply of available parking within the Maritime Museum lot.

Please email us at: david@vanmaritime.com to get in touch with the team. We’d be happy to meet with you.

HAVN is a Canadian company based in Victoria focused on designing wellness-oriented experiences. Their Victoria location, opened in 2023, has been widely adopted by the community. HAVN offers a phone-free, alcohol-free, self-guided experience designed to be calm and restorative, with no events, no amplified music, and no nightlife component.