Budget cuts to indoor pools causing waves at city hall

WINNIPEG — A plan to cut funding to swimming facility programs is getting some push back at city hall.

“I’m moving a motion to not reduce the aqua budget by 100 thousand and to add a hundred thousand to resources,” Coun. Ross Eadie said Monday.

If the budget passes, it means a reduction of indoor pool programming hours and closing some facilities at certain indoor pools.

“We have an 18 per cent increase of indoor pools and our free swim programs are well attended so i have concerns about reduction of our indoor pools,” Cindy Gilroy said.

Cuts that could have a lasting impact for community and professional swim clubs.

Swim Manitoba’s Mark Fellner explains how the cuts could impact local swimming clubs, from community teams to those competing on a professional level.

“If you squeeze current programs into a smaller window of opportunities it will be congested and we are not looking forward to that kind of impact.”

That’s what at least two city councillors are hoping to avoid.

“I think there is a great ability to fill our pools at the empty times. I think its a matter of community services having the resources to do that,” Eadie said.

Others on council are waiting to hear from the experts.

“We have experts out there and if they say there are ways to reduce costs with lifeguards. They were using the example of pan am pool, it might be an opportunity to close the lap pool and use the main tank. That is something to pursue,” Coun. Jeff Browaty said.

Swimming programs are by far the most popular among Winnipeg’s leisure guide activities. Families can register for classes at indoor pools starting March 17 at 8 a.m.