Swimmers plead for city pool

Supporters and users of SconaPool in Edmonton's Strathcona neighbourhood took their concerns about the potential closure of the publicfacility to a city council committee meeting Monday.

Municipal staff recommended in April that the city close the pool, which is located inside Strathcona High School but open to the public. In July, the city voted to keep fundingthe pool until the end of the year.

The pool is more than 50 years old and would cost nearly $13 million to renovate.

"I've seen kids lining up to join the swim team, 180 of them as a matter of fact," said Finola Hackett, a Grade 12 student and swim team captain who urged councilors to support "a local facility in a walkable community in a sustainable city."

Robin Hill, a coach with the Scona swim team, said the pool is an investment in youth.

"Young people are going to develop their sense of belonging and self esteem somewhere," he said. "We would rather that happen under our guidance at the swimming pool rather than from a bunch of kids hanging out at a shopping mall.

"We are helping to shape stable and positive young people, the kind our city needs. Surely, that is worth a lot."

Councillors told the supporters of the pool that in tight financial times, finding money for the pool is difficult.

"Any money we take away from other areas to put towards Scona pool will be impacting other areas unless we raise the taxes," said Coun. Amarjeet Sohi. "We don't have any cushion money."

Councillors will tackle the issue again during budget deliberations Nov. 25, the same day the 180 members of the Scona swim team will be at Kinsmen Pool, defending their 24th city championship.