
Today, the city of Tapa, the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments, and AquaTapa OÜ, a company managed by Capital Mill, signed a concession agreement to establish a sports and leisure center with a swimming pool in Tapa. Construction is scheduled to begin next spring, with the building expected to be completed by 2028 at the latest.
Magnus-Valdemar Saar, Director General of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (RKIK), stated at the signing that the agreement will also allow members of the Tapa military base to use the future center —conscripts, active-duty personnel, and NATO allies—for sports, training, and rehabilitation.
“I’m pleased that years of preparation have brought us to this major milestone. The city of Tapa will gain a modern leisure center featuring a swimming pool, the result of strong cooperation among the state, local government, and the private sector. This partnership enables us to create more than just a pool, but a new center offering a variety of sports and recreational activities for both military personnel stationed in Tapa and the local community,” added Saar.
The planned center will feature an eight-lane swimming pool, a beginner training pool, a relaxation area with saunas, a gym, and a dining area that includes a sports bar.
According to Maksim Butšenkov, Chairman of the Tapa Municipal Council, the new center represents more than just a building—it is an investment in the health of residents, in new jobs, and the overall development of the town and municipality. “The long and difficult road full of obstacles and expectations has finally led to success—today, we opened a new chapter in the history of Tapa. Alongside the swimming pool, we’re also creating a true sauna experience with traditional birch whisking—an important cultural request we specifically included in the project requirements to honor the traditions of Tapa residents and the region’s history. I hope the pool and sauna become a place we’ll want to return to again and again—a space that brings together sport, social connection, joy, and fresh ideas,” Butšenkov added at the signing.
Silver Neemelo, Head of Construction at Capital Mill OÜ, expressed hope that the Tapa sports and leisure center will become a community hub that brings together people of all ages and backgrounds. “We’re sincerely pleased to contribute to the development of Tapa and the entire region. We see this project as having a significant impact on regional development and on strengthening national defense readiness. Collaborations like this create lasting value,” added Neemelo.
The establishment of the Tapa sports and leisure center will provide opportunities for conscripts and active personnel of the 1st Infantry Brigade, as well as NATO allied forces stationed in Tapa, to utilize the center for training, education, competitions, rehabilitation, and leisure activities.
The building’s right of superficies will be granted for 50 years, and the developer is obligated to provide sports services for a minimum of 20 years.