Chaska approves Nordic spa concept for vacant hotel site
The Chaska City Council unanimously approved a concept plan Tuesday to transform the long-vacant Oakidge Conference Center into a Nordic spa and hotel, a project developers say could become a major tourism draw for the community.
The council voted unanimously to move forward with Scanvic Hotels' proposal to redevelop the Oakidge property, which has sat empty for several years. The project would include 130 hotel rooms, conference space, a restaurant, retail shops, and a 20,000-25,000 square foot outdoor Nordic spa—a wellness facility featuring thermal pools and saunas popular in Canada and Scandinavia.
The proposal initially faced a significant hurdle: city staff objected to the original spa location because it would encroach on wooded steep slopes protected by city zoning ordinances. Developers Travis Batting and Jennifer acknowledged the concern and presented revised layouts that keep the spa within previously disturbed areas of the property, demonstrating what they called their commitment to environmental responsibility.
Batting explained that the Nordic spa concept—which emphasizes wellness through thermal cycles—becomes financially viable when connected to the hotel. "We feel the efficiencies being connected to the hotel help make this project a lot more feasible," he said. Council members praised the project as aligned with the city's strategic goal of making Chaska a destination community. One council member noted the property had been "an issue" since closing and expressed excitement about potential reuse.
In a separate unanimous vote, the council also approved on-sale liquor permits for the Downtown Business Alliance's community events, including Sip and Shop Saturdays, a fall market, and holiday events. Staff clarified that Chaska is authorized for 12 such event days annually—fewer than the three Minnesota communities with permanent "social districts" (Anoka, Stillwater, and Shakopee). Council members highlighted the events' success in drawing people downtown and boosting local businesses without incident.
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Votes (2)
On Sale Liquor at Community Events, Chesca Downtown Business Alliance Community Event Series
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Hatfield [1:06:50] · Seconded by Council Member Bennish [1:06:55]
Council Member Hatfield initiated discussion on Consent Item 7B, praising the Downtown Business Alliance for curating engaging events like Sip and Shop Saturdays, a Fall Market, and Holiday events, which boost downtown activity and business collaboration. Staff clarified the distinction between Chaza's 12 annual event permits and state-authorized 'social districts' in other cities, noting ongoing legislative efforts for broader social district allowances. Council members highlighted the events' success, family-friendly atmosphere, and lack of negative incidents, reinforcing the goal of making downtown a destination.
Adopt resolution number 2026-74 approving the concept plan for Scandic Nordic Spa at Oakidge Hotel and Conference Center
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Chevlin [1:35:45] · Seconded by Council Member Hatfield [1:35:50]
The concept plan for the redevelopment of the vacant Oakidge Conference Center into a Nordic Spa and Hotel by Scanvic Hotels was presented. Staff (Liz) outlined the proposal including modernization of the building, 130 hotel rooms, conference space, a restaurant, retail, and a 20-25,000 sq ft outdoor Nordic spa. A primary concern was the outdoor spa's original location encroaching on wooded steep slopes, which violates zoning ordinances. The applicant (Travis Batting, Jennifer) acknowledged staff's concerns and presented revised conceptual layouts within previously disturbed areas to comply with regulations, emphasizing their commitment to environmental conscientiousness, nature immersion, and making the unique hotel-spa concept financially viable and a tourism driver for Chaza.
Notable Quotes (7)
it's been really exciting to see the downtown business alliance come together see the success of the farmers market want to pull together a fall market happening on Saturdays and then into the holiday season and um put some really fun events that bring people downtown on
The state did authorize what are officially called social districts for only three communities in the state. So was Anoka, Stillwater, and Shakopee... For other communities, we're given 12 opportunities during the course of a year to be able to do this.
our business alliance focus to, you know, make a vibrant downtown and as a council or strategic goal is to make a destination downtown. And I think that really lends to that
this has been a sort of an issue property for us since it closed down a few years ago and to have a potential reuse for this site that could be a destination into the community, I think is exciting to be talking about.
staff would not support locations numbers two and three due to the wooded steep slope impacts. And that's just based on the zoning ordinance requirements in terms of protecting the wooded steep slopes.
In Canada, there have been a lot of successful Nordic spas... what a Nordic spa is, it's a place to be able to press pause... it's about the thermal cycle... We feel the efficiencies being connected to the hotel help make this project a lot more feasible.
our goal as a council is to make our community a destination. your proposal lends to that ability
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Approving the concept plan for the Scandic Oakidge Hotel and Conference Center
Planned Multi-Use District zoning from 1987 for the Oakidge site
Planned Multi-Use District zoning from 2021/2022 for the Oakidge site
Ordinance specific to wooded steep slopes
Initial proposal for the redevelopment of the Oakidge Conference Center
Public survey for downtown development feedback
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
On Sale Liquor at Community Events
Concept Plan for Scandic Nordic Spa at Oakidge Hotel and Conference Center
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