In summer, Kaalisaari is the perfect place to enjoy the lively atmosphere.

On the best days, the outdoor area is buzzing with activity. Young people gather at the skate park, while excitement fills the air at the diving tower as friends cheer each other on. The beach volleyball courts are busy with enthusiasts, and the basketball court often has someone shooting hoops.

The newest addition is a padel court, a great fit for Kaalisaari’s diverse offerings. Seniors work out on fitness equipment, and you’ll see parkour fans, cyclists, joggers, and dog walkers along the shoreline.

Few recreational areas boast such a stunning location. Families enjoy summer at Pororanta beach, where children play in the water and attend swimming lessons. The beach also features a new pier with lanes for open-water swimming.

Kaalisaari has undergone major changes. Track and field events moved long ago to the Central Sports Field north of the city. Nearby Hoppu Sports Park now offers facilities for ice hockey, football, and tennis. Kaalisaari has evolved from a traditional sports hub into a space for more relaxed, active leisure and socializing, with updated and diverse recreational opportunities.

And it’s not finished yet, the padel court has just been completed, and the area now boasts a stunning new diving tower, chosen through a design competition.

A bit of history from Kalssu ry: Kaalisaari is a gem in the city center, surrounded by water. Its crown jewel has long been the diving tower. The first two-story swimming facility was built at the tip of the island, now a peninsula, in the 1930s. It was rebuilt in a grander three-story form three decades later. Locals know the tower means much more than daring dives into Lake Liekovesi which represents experiences shared across generations. Kaalisaari is maintained by Sastamala Sports Services.