(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Dawson Thompson

Pool Petition

City continues to explore ways to keep Marion Aquatics open

Jul 26, 2021 | 4:30 PM

The mayor of Prince Albert, Greg Dionne will bring forward a fundraising report at the next executive meeting on options to keep Marion Aquatics swimming pool in operation.

Based on previous contributions by the city, fluctuating subsidies from the sisters and if the city were to open the pool more to the public, the estimated cost for running it would be approximately $500,000, a number Dionne said the city could not support on its own. So, he’s reached out to nearby rural municipalities and local businesses and organizations.

“I had quite a few emails sent to my office saying they support the pool. So, I’ve written to all those people giving them the history of the pool and a donation request. So, I’m looking at all avenues. The government has no funding available and will not participate,” Dionne said.

At least one local business owner, Malcolm Jenkins of Canadian Tire, has offered an annual contribution of $50,000 per year over the next five years to increase programming capacity at Marion Aquatics.

Councillors Blake Edwards and Dennis Ogrodnick would both like to see the pool stay open, but not at the taxpayer’s entire expense.

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“Our taxpayers, with what we just went through with the new tax rates, they’re hurting, and businesses are hurting,” said Edwards. “Do I think the RM should contribute some—absolutely, and I hope we can have a community partnership and I’m hopeful they’ll step forward and agree some of our residents are using the pool and here is some money to help offset it until our main brand new pool is open.”

Dionne plans to present the report in August after he’s heard back from the majority of RMs.

Petition

A petition regarding the status of Marion Aquatics also made its way to city council to put pressure on the city to open the facility.

The petition has over 1,000 signatures on it with many citing reasons to keep the historic pool open. When it was in operation, the facility offered Red Cross swimming lessons, aquasize fitness classes, public and school swimming sessions and it was the Prince Albert Pikes Artistic Swimming Club training location.

“This is a much-needed facility. Rethink the decision, at least until the new aquatic facility is up and running,” Joanne Byrne wrote.

Another petitioner, Murdine McCreath wrote, “The health and well being of the citizens, including children who use the pool is important. The decision to close feels ill-conceived and non-consultative.”

The petition is requesting the city take over the management of the pool operations to keep it open.

At last week’s executive meeting, Coun. Edwards clarified it wasn’t the city of Prince Albert’s decision to shut the pool down.

“The city is taking on a blame from the public, and it’s not accurate. We do not own the pool. We chose to help the sisters stay open until they chose to retire,” Edwards said. “I think it’s a great pool, I think it should stay open. I want it to stay open and I think we need it to stay open.”

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Dawson.thompson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @dawsonthompson8