New Moncton float spa claims to float away holiday stress

People can try to float their cares away at a new float spa that has opened in downtown Moncton.

“This is the very first float spa in New Brunswick so we are really excited about that,” said Cindy O’Donnell, who opened Kini Wellness in early December off Main Street in Moncton.

She said she is hoping to help rejuvenate Moncton’s downtown district.

“I moved all over Canada, I even moved in the US, but I always came back home so I decided that home is where I wanted to stay and I wanted to create jobs that were fun to bring back something to the community.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I moved all over Canada, I even moved in the US, but I always came back home so I decided that home is where I wanted to stay and I wanted to create jobs that were fun to bring back something to the community."

O’Donnell said her two float pods look like mini spaceships and are filled with warm salt water.

“The float pods have 1,000 pounds of epsom salt and it’s diluted in the water so what it does is it creates a buoyancy almost like the Dead Sea,” said O’Donnell, adding even people who can’t swim will float in the pods.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The float pods have 1,000 pounds of epsom salt and it's diluted in the water so what it does is it creates a buoyancy almost like the Dead Sea," said O'Donnell, adding even people who can't swim will float in the pods.

The water in the pods is at body temperature which O’Donnell said eliminates sensory stimulation.  She said when the pods are closed, people can float their cares away in virtual silence or opt to play music softly in the background.

Moncton’s Amanda Wirtanen tried out a float for the first time this week.  The new mother said juggling time with her new baby and getting ready for the holidays has been hectic.

“It was very zen, just like nothing else mattered,” Wirtanen said. “Especially with a new baby trying to get all the shopping done and the wrapping. Mommy just needed an hour away,”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It was very zen, just like nothing else mattered," Wirtanen said. "Especially with a new baby trying to get all the shopping done and the wrapping. Mommy just needed an hour away,"

The spa has a unique location in the refurbished site of the former Tuttle Brothers Funeral Home on Lutz Street.

“People walk in and say, ‘oh it’s so relaxing in here.’ I think it’s because there has never been anything super lively in here,” O’Donnell joked.

She said she is hoping her new business adds some much needed life to the downtown.