FEATURE STORIES

Bygdsiljum – where the future is built together

Bygdsiljum has long been a hub for skiing, community life, and entrepreneurship. Now the village is making a major push for the summer season. With the lake as a backdrop and strong local support, the village is looking toward the future, with new waterfront cottages, vibrant cultural activities in the park, and initiatives to promote cycling.

The road winds through the forest and opens up onto Stora Bygdeträsket. Here, about 60 kilometers from downtown Skellefteå and a bit further from Umeå, lies Bygdsiljum. It’s a village that’s used to taking matters into its own hands. New initiatives, community spaces, and a growing tourism scene keep the town bustling.

“We’ve realized that we can’t wait for someone else to come along and say, ‘Here’s five million.’ We work based on what we want to do ourselves, and we seek help where we can,” says Leif Lindgren.

Leif works at Bygdsiljum Utveckling, the local company that has become a driving force in the village. He also emphasizes that the village has very good relationships with both the municipality of Skellefteå and local businesses and other organizations.

“We are humble and grateful for all the help we receive. It’s incredibly important for us to have partners,” he says.

New Lakefront Cabins
The most visible new development in Bygdsiljum is right next to the Bygdsiljum campground, beautifully situated by the lake. Six newly built lakefront cabins have opened along the shoreline. These are small cabins with hotel-standard amenities, designed for both visitors and business travelers.

The patio doors face directly out onto the lake, and the water sparkles just a few meters away.

“You have your own deck, and the water is just two meters from the deck. You can basically jump right into the lake,” says Leif Lindgren.

The cottages come in various sizes, accommodating three to four people. Cleaning, linens, and towels are included, just like at a hotel. During the summer, the docks fill up quickly.

“Last year we had a watercross event here. The docks were packed. When the competition was over, people just jumped right into the water,” he says.

Surrounding the cabins are a swimming beach, a sauna, and barbecue huts. At the same time, the accommodation serves another purpose.

“Companies and contractors working in the area used to have to drive to Umeå to stay. Now they can stay right here in the village. It’s good for both the environment and local businesses,” he says.

Park Life
Behind Westmans Café, the park stretches out. This is an iconic spot for many people in Västerbotten, and for many years, Westmans was known for its peacocks. Now, free concerts featuring local bands are held in the park during the summer.

“We have performances on Wednesdays and Fridays all summer long. No admission fee—just come on over. Lots of local bands from Skellefteå and Umeå. Just the way we like it,” says Leif Lindgren.

The park and the boathouses were largely built through volunteer efforts.

“Together, we’ve put in around 3,000 volunteer hours. It’s the village residents who’ve stepped up. There’s a sense of pride and drive here,” he says.

Cycling, Water, and Community Life
Many associate Bygdsiljum with the ski slope and an active community life. Now the summer offerings are growing rapidly. New bike trails and hiking paths connect the nature around the village.

“You have a fantastic environment for cycling, basically all the way around Stora Bygdeträsket. Skellefteå Kraft has created a bike trail from the ski slope out toward Andersvattnet. You can do some great loops,” says Leif Lindgren.

From the canoe dock, you can paddle the Rickleån for several kilometers through the forest landscape. The Motor Club organizes enduro and rally events. Fishing in the lakes around the village attracts visitors, and during the winter, the ski slope fills up.

“Our challenge is to get people to stay. The ski slope has many visitors. If we can get some of them to stay in the village, have coffee at Westmans, and shop at Ica—then a lot will happen,” says Leif.

A village looking to the future
Behind this development lies a deliberate vision-building effort. Six working groups are tackling everything from schools and care to culture and events.

“We have a ten-year plan for the village. One group is working on preschool spots, another on culture and recreation. We’re trying to create the conditions so that more people want to start businesses and organize events here,” says Leif Lindgren.

Bygdsiljum Utveckling currently manages housing, a campground, and the new boathouses. But the company sees itself primarily as an enabler.

“We’re here to create the conditions. Then we hope others will want to start businesses, events, and activities. That’s how a village grows,” he says.

When summer arrives, the calendar fills up quickly: Bygdsiljum Week with music days and a children’s day, watercross on the lake, and concerts in the park.

“There’s a lot going on here. Bygdsiljum is always on the move,” says Leif.