HISTORY
Former dairy
farm becomes a holiday home.
(Built during the First Estonian Republic, the bottom of the house is built out of big stones and the top out of plastered logs)
The stately dairy farm complex in the middle of Tääksi is getting a new lease of life. Workmen are seen during the week, local football club boys and men help out during weekends. Welding sparks fly in the building and tons of stones and metal have been hoisted out from the first floor. Yesterday, the soul of this project, Tääksi sports club leader Toomas Aavasalu, was wielding a huge hammer to break up old concrete. This sporty Kalevipoeg thinks that Tääksi sports complex is missing a cosy hotel. Sports establishments such as the lit skiing trail and the popular sports hall already exist.
Perfect sports complex
Toomas Aavasalu didn’t hesitate long when he saw the opportunity to buy the dairy farm from 1930s. The building’s original purpose was only given away by a big stainless steel tub. The building and 1,2 hectares of land around it cost 82 000 euros. Renovations will add eight beds (16 with extra beds) to the top floor. The first floor will have a bar, a fireplace lounge, a kitchen and a sauna complex. The total cost of the renovations is around 192 000 euros.
Bird watchers are welcome
If the Estonian Agricultural Registers and Information board approves of the project by January, then half of this sum will come as a grant. Toomas Aavasalu stressed that the building will be completed even without support, only with more private involvement and delayed schedules. The renovation project was made by architects Margus and Tarmo Maiste. “It’s a very nice old house. I’m happy that it’s being preserved and is getting a new purpose,” said Margus Maiste. Toomas Aavasalu’s friends from Estonia and Russia have already expressed their wish to stay at the picturesque Tääksi with lots of opportunities for physical activity. “For next summer, we already have bookings from Italy, Russia and Finland,” said Aavasalu. “In the summer, several bird watchers’ groups from Italy want to visit. There is a gentleman in Tääksi who has been bird watching for over 30 years- he is ready to instruct them.” Aavasalu said that the hotel is targeted towards active vacationers. “We will organize guided bicycle trips to the surrounding lovely nature trails and cultural spots. We will be renting bicycles. For winter we will make a 10 km skiing trail towards Õnniste, for which we will be renting wide hunter’s skis,” said he. A smoke sauna and tenting spots are planned for the old dairy farm’s yard. The hotel should also bring several jobs to the village: for the chef, janitor and hiking instructor.
A few years ago, Aavasalu oversaw the building of Tääksi sports hall. The squash court in the hall is popular without any advertising. “Evening slots are booked until June,” said Aavasalu. Free slots are only available during the day. Weekends cannot be booked, they are reserved for events. Toomas Aavasalu said that an exhibition room is also being planned for the new hotel, where the history of the building will be displayed. “We don’t know a lot about the history at this point. I would be thankful if people could bring me pictures and stories of the building,” he added.
(“Sakala”,10.10.2012 Egon Valdaru, reporter)
(Built during the First Estonian Republic, the bottom of the house is built out of big stones and the top out of plastered logs)
The stately dairy farm complex in the middle of Tääksi is getting a new lease of life. Workmen are seen during the week, local football club boys and men help out during weekends. Welding sparks fly in the building and tons of stones and metal have been hoisted out from the first floor. Yesterday, the soul of this project, Tääksi sports club leader Toomas Aavasalu, was wielding a huge hammer to break up old concrete. This sporty Kalevipoeg thinks that Tääksi sports complex is missing a cosy hotel. Sports establishments such as the lit skiing trail and the popular sports hall already exist.
Perfect sports complex
Toomas Aavasalu didn’t hesitate long when he saw the opportunity to buy the dairy farm from 1930s. The building’s original purpose was only given away by a big stainless steel tub. The building and 1,2 hectares of land around it cost 82 000 euros. Renovations will add eight beds (16 with extra beds) to the top floor. The first floor will have a bar, a fireplace lounge, a kitchen and a sauna complex. The total cost of the renovations is around 192 000 euros.
Bird watchers are welcome
If the Estonian Agricultural Registers and Information board approves of the project by January, then half of this sum will come as a grant. Toomas Aavasalu stressed that the building will be completed even without support, only with more private involvement and delayed schedules. The renovation project was made by architects Margus and Tarmo Maiste. “It’s a very nice old house. I’m happy that it’s being preserved and is getting a new purpose,” said Margus Maiste. Toomas Aavasalu’s friends from Estonia and Russia have already expressed their wish to stay at the picturesque Tääksi with lots of opportunities for physical activity. “For next summer, we already have bookings from Italy, Russia and Finland,” said Aavasalu. “In the summer, several bird watchers’ groups from Italy want to visit. There is a gentleman in Tääksi who has been bird watching for over 30 years- he is ready to instruct them.” Aavasalu said that the hotel is targeted towards active vacationers. “We will organize guided bicycle trips to the surrounding lovely nature trails and cultural spots. We will be renting bicycles. For winter we will make a 10 km skiing trail towards Õnniste, for which we will be renting wide hunter’s skis,” said he. A smoke sauna and tenting spots are planned for the old dairy farm’s yard. The hotel should also bring several jobs to the village: for the chef, janitor and hiking instructor.
A few years ago, Aavasalu oversaw the building of Tääksi sports hall. The squash court in the hall is popular without any advertising. “Evening slots are booked until June,” said Aavasalu. Free slots are only available during the day. Weekends cannot be booked, they are reserved for events. Toomas Aavasalu said that an exhibition room is also being planned for the new hotel, where the history of the building will be displayed. “We don’t know a lot about the history at this point. I would be thankful if people could bring me pictures and stories of the building,” he added.
(“Sakala”,10.10.2012 Egon Valdaru, reporter)
