How the new sauna could look on Hampstead Heath

A HEALTH kick craze for pairing cold water swimming and a soothing sauna has proved a hit at the Parliament Hill Lido.

But a philanthropist offering to provide the same experience at the Hampstead Heath Mixed Ponds has been met with a lukewarm response.

A swimming group say people have “thrown their hands up in horror” after the idea was put forward by ponds regular Mark Lamb, who lives nearby in Dartmouth Park.

He has offered to spend £100,000 of his own money to install a state-of-the-art wooden sauna in the corner of a run-down concrete changing compound.

Mr Lamb, who is the founder of the Wild Sauna Community Interest Company [CIC], said he would then manage the sauna for free, with money raised by charging a nominal fee going to Heath managers to spend on pond lifeguards.

Currently, the Mixed Pond is closed over winter months and to access the waters swimmers have to join a special Winter Swimmers Club. This insures them to swim without a lifeguard – and Mr Lamb said his figures show a sauna would pay for lifeguards all year round and increase accessibility.

Research from Finnish scientists has highlighted the link between saunas and health: a 25-year study has shown a range of health benefits, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. It can be beneficial for mobility and inflammations, and helps with depression.

A meeting with Heath managers the City of London this week saw details laid out and the New Journal has learned the City is seriously considering the proposal. Mr Lamb said: “We will put the money up and pay for maintenance. We will take on all the financial risk.”

The CIC would pay the City rent and all costs. Charging around £10 a hour – comparable to other community saunas and all income would be ring-fenced for the ponds.

“If it doesn’t work, we will lose the money, no one else. If it makes money, our investment is repaid and then we hand the operation over to the City. We estimate it could bring in around £2,000 a week,” Mr Lamv said. “The money can go into lifeguarding. This is about public health and increasing access.”

He added he had approached the Mixed Pond Association and hoped for further discussions to explain its benefits. Saunas are becoming increasingly popular – and swimming pools across the UK which offer them enjoy a bounce in visitors.

But the Mixed Pond sauna could be the first for the not-for-profit firm and Mr Lamb hopes to set up 50 similar projects. An Instagram social media post this week explaining the project showed a landslide of support for the charitable project – but not all swimmers are keen. Some say they fear introducing a sauna would change the demographic of visitors.

The Mixed Pond Association co-chair Margaret Dickinson, said: “We think the plans are unworkable. The pond is quite small and people fear it could change the social mix. There is a feeling that if someone is paying £10 for a sauna it will make the pond feel up market and put people off. It might lead to a drop in swimmers.”

The association said it has been approached by the CIC but it would not officially respond unless the City confirm it is considering the project.

Ms Dickinson said keeping the pond open all year would mean people have to pay £4 per swim, instead of a flat membership fee that pays for personal insurance.

She added: “There would have to be three lifeguards on duty. Are they suggesting they would pay the wages over the winter season? A lot of people like the quietness of the pond because there are no lifeguards. It would be far better to put the money into subsidising cheaper swims. A sauna is a luxury for wealthy people.”

Ms Dickinson added: “It would change the atmosphere. There are 300 people in the winter swimming club and we do not think any are interested. Most people have thrown their hands up in horror. “There have been comments like ‘what’s next? An underwater disco?’ This is a natural environment and it should not be messed up by things like this.”