The viability of Calgary’s public outdoor swimming pools could be in jeopardy in the wake of a cool, wet summer that has kept big crowds away from local facilities.
Roger Leach, a board member of the Calgary Outdoor Swimming Pools Association, says some tough decisions may have to be made following the 2010 summer season.
"Outdoor pools are very dependent on having hot weather and we haven’t had a 30-degree day yet," said Leach, who is also director of the Mount Pleasant pool.
"I know (at the Mount Pleasant) pool the revenues are down from last year and last year wasn’t very good."
In 2003, the city turned over control of the outdoor pools to be managed by the Outdoor Swimming Pools Association on behalf of community associations.
The association manages seven public facilities in the city, while the Silver Springs pool is run directly by the area community association in a separate agreement with the city.
The public pools are open for 80 days, from mid-June to the end of the Labour Day weekend.
The overall revenue numbers won’t be calculated until the fall and reported in October.
Leach said community associations who took over responsibility for the pools looking for an added source of income may have to decide if they’re willing to float the facilities in the lean years.
"It’s too early to say what they will decide," said Leach. "But if there’s a loss at the end of the day, the community associations will have to decide if they will abandon it or be willing to subsidize it."
Some pools may be more profitable than others, said Leach, if they run lessons and day camp programs.
smyers@theherald.canwest.com
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