Large Public Sauna on the Lakefront at the Vidy-Bellerive Public Beach

If you’d like to print the project submission form, you can! Once your project is finalized, you can submit it using the form below. Your project will be made public.

1. Your project in two lines:

Build a large sauna by the lake on the Vidy-Bellerive public beach, behind the Théâtre de Vidy, heated with wood for swimmers in cold water

2. Amount requested to carry out the project (max. CHF 20,000—to be itemized in the budget file, which must be downloaded, completed, and attached as an appendix): CHF 20,000

3. Details of your project (you can attach images and files later in the process):

The Nouvelles Perspectives Association organizes year-round outdoor activities through the “Bouger en plein air” project, supported by the City of Lausanne. The goal is to promote participants’ health and well-being through regular, moderate physical activity and swimming in Lake Geneva. The water is particularly cold during fall, winter, and spring, and this provides well-documented health benefits[1]. The addition of a sauna would be a key tool for fostering social connections among local residents, developing a unique recreational offering for Lausanne residents and visitors alike, and promoting the well-being and health of the city’s population. Furthermore, in winter, beachgoers and cold-water swimmers will greatly appreciate being able to keep their warm clothes on and get dressed in a heated area. There are many participants, and they do not all arrive at the same times. These past two years of public health restrictions and lockdowns have seen a rise in the number of people who enjoy cold-water swimming in the lake. It’s fair to say there is a group of people who come throughout the morning to swim in the cold water year-round. Users will be asked to bring two towels (one to sit on to avoid skin-to-wood contact and the other to dry off) and to help keep the area clean; specific operating details will be defined at a later date.

[1] http://institutions.ville-geneve.ch/fr/bm/interroge/archives-questions-reponses/detail/question/la-baignade-en-eau-froide-a-t-elle-des-vertus-therapeutiques-br/; https://www.rts.ch/audio-podcast/2021/audio/les-bienfaits-de-la-baignade-en-eau-froide-25177554.html4. The objective of your project (explain its purpose and how it will benefit one or more neighborhoods):

Cold-water swimming offers extraordinary health benefits, as has been studied and demonstrated by scientists. However, during the colder months of the year, it can be very difficult to take that first step. We believe that building a large sauna will provide a positive boost for the residents of Lausanne and encourage them to take up this practice, which is beneficial to their health.

5. The exact address of your project, if known, as well as the neighborhood(s) involved:

Vidy Public Beach, next to the Belle Rive Private Pool, behind the Vidy Theater, and next to the mini-golf course. This location features showers, restrooms, and two covered areas with benches.

There is sufficient land available to accommodate the construction, which could be removed during the summer.

6. The name of your organization (optional):

You do not need to be part of an organization to submit a project, but there must be at least three of you.

Association Nouvelles Perspectives _ ANP

6. Your contact information (required)

Please fill out the questionnaire with your contact information by clicking on the link below. This information will remain strictly confidential and will only be used to contact you regarding the Participatory Budget: Participatory Budget Contact Information (limesurvey.net)