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Bathe around the world at Groupe SKYSPA’s 60,000sq m thermal spa

05 Mar 2020 Canadian spa management group Groupe SKYSPA has unveiled an expansive thermal spa in Quebec, Canada.

Groupe SKYSPA told Spa Business the 60,000sq m property represents an investment of CA$12m (US$9m, €8.3m, £7m).

Surrounded by forest, Förena Cité Thermale includes three thermotherapy circuits individually themed on Russian, Icelandic and German bathing traditions, along with three pavilions, outdoor bathing facilities and a restaurant.

"The idea of ​​opening a spa complex in Quebec was forged during my travels," said Patrick Rake, president of the SKYSPA Group and creator of Förena. "I discovered unique thermotherapy rituals that I wanted Quebecers to discover.

“We wanted our concept to be subtle and contemporary, and to nod at the way people in these countries experience thermotherapy. The aim is to make people feel that there is an authenticity and respect for other countries’ culture and customs,” he said.

The Russian-inspired Buran thermotherapy circuit, is located in an individual pavilion and includes a steam bath, sauna, relaxation area and showers. Guests are advised to work their way through the routine, beginning with a sauna or steam bath, followed by a cold, outdoor, waterfall shower and ending with a period of relaxation.

The Piterak experience consists of three outdoor Icelandic thermal pools which range in temperature from temperate, to hot, and very hot, and feature lava-lacquered standing stones, or menhirs.

Foehn – the German thermotherapy routine – cycles guests through an Aufguss sauna, outdoor cold pool, and finishes with a period of relaxation.

Guests can also visit an outdoor relaxation area which includes cold waterfall showers, firepit and relaxation areas.

Spa director Anne Bouchard told Spa Business: “Our goal has never been to create just another spa, but to develop something much more than that.

“Our inspirations come from places around the world where thermotherapy has lived throughout the ages. The authenticity behind these traditions and rituals comes to life at Förena and this is what makes us really stand out.”

The thermal spa – found in the main pavilion – has 18 treatment rooms with a menu offering massages, body treatments, facials, scrubs, wraps and nail services. Phytomer has been selected as product house, with its Holistic Sea treatment chosen as Förena’s signature offering.

Day access to thermotherapy at the spa costs CA$65 (US$49, €45, £39) but when combined with treatments guests will pay CA$55 (US$41, €38, £32) to use thermal facilities.

Construction began in December 2018 and was completed in January 2020, with architects Blouin Tardiff responsible for overall design, while Projet Paysage created the thermal pools and outdoor areas. Groupe SKYSPA used internal specialists to conceptualise the idea.

Active since 2004, Groupe SKYSPA already operates Spa Nordic Station in Magog as well as two spas in Brossard and Quebec respectively.

The 2020 launch of Förena is the first part of a two-phase construction plan, phase two includes the integration of a hotel which will total the investment at CA$45m (US$33.9m, €31.3m, £26.2m).