Hagslätta Steamboat Pier

The project idea is to develop and establish a meeting place for social activities and create a docking area for incoming boat traffic in Hagslätta, Hacksta parish in the form of a larger dock built in an old steamboat style.

The project aims to create better conditions for small-scale entrepreneurship by creating a place for the sale of, for example, fish from nearby fishing activities, a marketplace for the sale of vegetables, fruits, etc., and to enable docking of private boats from Mälaren to the area. The project also aims to increase opportunities for the local population to come together through various outdoor-oriented activities, primarily in the summer but also in the winter to enhance the welcoming atmosphere in the community's social context for newcomers and increase
the sense of belonging in the area and social security for all.

Discussions and anchoring work have been carried out over several years mainly through direct conversations, via Hacksta Community Association's annual meetings, other local associations' various meetings and gatherings, as well as at specially arranged open social events in the local community center. Participants have included both residents and vacationers as well as local entrepreneurs. Several conversations have also taken place within and between the various active associations in the area and with officials at Leader Mälardalen. All active associations (the Road Association, JUF, Hacksta Heritage Association, and the Bath Dock Association) have supported the project and will all contribute in various ways through voluntary resources such as expertise and labor.

The Road Association mainly consists of those living nearby as the association manages the road leading down to the relevant site. There are a few properties directly affected by the project. These nearby residents have both individually and through the association expressed strong support for the project as it creates greater social opportunities for them as well. There is also an ongoing discussion about potential effects of increased traffic on the road and whether additional parking spaces may be needed; there are proposals for measures if necessary, which will be addressed within the framework of the Road Association's work.

Volunteer efforts will be utilized to dismantle existing remnants of the dock, build the deck itself as well as benches, semaphore poles, etc. All project management and participation in the working group is on a voluntary basis, as are the work efforts during the planned information events. 

The project provides access to the water environment in a way that is currently not possible for people with disabilities as the existing bathing dock is not adapted for, for example, wheelchairs or blind individuals due to instability as it is of floating dock construction. The new dock will also enable boarding and disembarking from boats for people with disabilities, which is currently not possible since it is not possible to dock at the existing bathing dock.

The project is innovative as it is the first time that such practical collaboration occurs between the various local and active associations in order to meet both social and commercial needs and co-finance in this clear way in a project that is so important for the area.

The project is divided into 3 phases; Planning and involvement, Implementation, and Follow-up and reporting. The first phase includes the formation of the working group, development of final drawings/3D models, ensuring financially sustainable purchases with the right specifications where all environmental aspects are included. The first phase also includes the implementation of continued anchoring and information meetings with the local population. All work in this phase is voluntary work, individually or through the local associations. Phase two mainly includes the actual construction including clearing the site, demolishing the remaining pier remnants, excavation, piling, and construction of the new pier.

Two information meetings on-site will also be held during this phase with grilling. Ongoing documentation of the work is also done in the form of photographs and text presentations. The actual construction is carried out by an external party, while the rest is in the form of voluntary work. In the third phase, internal follow-up is conducted within the working group. In addition, reporting to Leader Mälardalen as well as all engaged, target groups, and active associations in the area is included. This will be
carried out at each annual meeting and an extra arranged information session after the construction is completed. This phase is also entirely in the form of voluntary work.

The information session will be open to everyone who wants to participate, and both a presentation of the project's structure and implementation will be made, as well as a display of a slideshow based on the photographs that will be taken continuously during the project's implementation. There is also discussion about possibly producing a smaller printed photo book as a result of the project.