Charlottetown councillor wants free swimming at Simmons pool

Charlottetown city councillor Mitchell Tweel wants to see the $2 admission fee to swim at Simmons pool abolished to match the free admission at nearbyVictoria Park pool.

Tweel, chair of the Parks, Recreation and Leisure Activities Committee, explained that free swimming at Simmons could help Victoria Park pool with some of its issues, such as long lines and a lack of available parking spaces. He noted that some people using the pool often park in the cycling lanes on Brighton Road.

Tweel says he's "not a strong believer inthe user-pay philosophy" and wouldlike to see more recreational programs offered for free. Doing so wouldget more people involved in recreationalactivities, he said.

"I see it as a win-win. I see it as eliminating the double standard and having more of our citizens being involved in recreation," said Tweel.

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