The University of Alberta says its swim program, which has been competing at the varsity level since 1948, will not continue after the 2024-25 season.
“Unfortunately, due to the ongoing financial challenges and complications of not having a competitive swim facility on campus, a swim program is not viable for the U of A at this time,” Melissa Padfield, the university’s deputy provost of students and enrolment, said in a post on the Edmonton post-secondary institution’s website on Monday.
She added that the university’s current swimmers will finish their competitive activities as scheduled this season and that the institution will “support all students in assessing their swim, athletics and academic options for next year.”
According to the university, the swim program has produced over 500 Golden Bears and Pandas alumni.
“We want to recognize the dedication and passion that all of our student-athletes, coaches, partners and supporters have shared with the U of A community over the years,” Padfield said.
Despite multiple requests, the university did not make anyone available for an interview. Instead, an additional statement was provided on Tuesday.
“We understand how much the swim program meant to our athletes and the community,” it read in part. “The decision was not taken lightly, but without a dedicated on-campus facility, high-level performance training and competition is difficult and costly.”
Swim Alberta said it is surprised by the decision.
“We weren’t consulted in the decision, which is one of the reasons we’re surprised by the decision and disappointed,” executive director Shawn Holman said.
Holman hopes to discuss the change with the university.
“Come to some solutions that allow for the swim program to continue. That’s ultimately our goal there,” Holman said. “We think there is a lot of support, within the swim community, but also within the community to continue on with this program.”
On Wednesday, the University of Alberta Swim Team Alumni Society issued a statement about the news.
“We are surprised and disappointed to hear of the university’s decision to discontinue the Golden Bears and Pandas Varsity Swim program following the 2024-2025 season,” the statement read.
“We are committed to working with the university to understand what led to this decision, to support the current team, and to explore solutions for continuing the program.”
Global News reached out to Canada West for comment on the decision. Canada West is a university athletic conference with members in, one of four within U SPORTS.
“Canada West understands our members must make difficult decisions and that ending a program is a decision that is never taken lightly,” Jamin Heller, a Canada West spokesperson, said in an email.
In March, the U of A swim program won two medals at the U SPORTS swim championships in Quebec: Olivia Brendzan earned silver in the 400m individual medley and Diego Paz won bronze in the men’s 1500m freestyle event.
–with files from Erik Bay, Global News