To the Editor:
I support the installation of the proposed pool, I just question the must have eight-lane pool approach being taken, as opposed to the six-lane alternative.
At the Council meeting on October 11, 2022, the estimate was increased from $26 million to $40 million. At the Special meeting being held Thursday 15, 2022, the agenda states that council are being asked to approve the construction and financing for the Aquatic and Wellness Centre at a cost of $49,948,500 [this estimate does include some additional office space for town staff]. Later on in the agenda, it is noted that there will be some additional future costs, which with my experience, I would say are part of this project.
After doing an online search for some pool information, I have come up with the following:
- City of Toronto, population 3 million plus, has 60 indoor pools, City of Hamilton population 750,000, has 15 indoor pools, no doubt a result of rearrangement of local governments some years ago.
- Toronto, including Univ. of Toronto, appears to have three eight-lane pools, U of T with three campuses also has a six-lane pool. Toronto’s pools appear to vary between three to six lanes, also some are irregular in shape. Toronto also grades their pools based on the following criteria. Does the pool complex have some of the following options … Sauna & whirlpool, splash pad, diving board, water slide, seating area, family change room, wheel chair access into pool, 50 metre length.
I agree with this approach and I am sure that some of these options are included in the proposed pool. The pool design should also however, be for the for the enjoyment of young kids and older folks.
Hamilton has one eight-lane pool and one seven-lane pool which is 90 years old and still in use. In our near vicinity, Owen Sound has an eight-lane pool, Collingwood has a six-lane pool and Kitchener has a five-lane pool.
Guelph Univ. has eight lanes x 25 metres long, McMaster Univ. has a six-lane pool. York Univ. has a six-lane pool both are 50 metres long.
All of the university pools are used for multiple sports, swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming – this narrower width may cramp the play of some of these other activities but cost was probably a factor. All of these universities compete against their Provincial and National rivals. All of the students receive free membership to the pools and gyms, U of T has over 100,000 students, busy facilities.
Elsewhere in the meeting agenda for the December 15th Special meeting, it is noted that the additional pool lanes and track have added $3,900,000 to the cost of the project. I should note that I have commented earlier on this subject matter, may I also say that with all of the online searching that I covered, that I never did see a four-lane track.
Under the Building Budget Considerations heading noted on page 64, I hope that the council members see and understand the supporting documentation that some of these large numbers are based on.
Note: It was difficult to find out all of the information that I was looking for, however I did receive some assistance from staff at Toronto Recreation and Hamilton Recreation. They never asked me why I was searching.
Allan Murray
Southampton