Locals protest changes to Adie Knox Herman centre

Members of Friends of Adie Knox, a grassroots organization, and local residentsheld twoprotests against theplanned closure of the pool at the Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex.

The protests wereheldoutside of Windsor City Hall and the recreation centre.

Linda MacKenzie,spokesperson for Friends ofAdie Knox, said the protest was organized due to 'fast-tracked' nature of the decision to close the Adie KnoxHerman Recreation Complex pool.

"We started with our movement, pre-pandemic. We all hunkered down for 18 months and didn't do anything," said MacKenzie. "Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the city administration and the university are putting together this deal and it kind of caught us off-guard."

Friends of Adie Knox was formed inDecember 2019 when the initial discussionto closethe pool at the recreation centre was first brought up.

Last week, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens announcedat a news conferencethat the city is committing $42 million toward a project that would include renovations to the recreation centre.

"The stars have aligned, and we are keen to make a massive investment at Adie Knox," Dilkens said in a statement. "With the plans for the Grace Hospital site and recently approved University Avenue West [Community Improvement Plan], we need to renew Adie Knox for the next generation of users."

The city said plans to upgrade the arena, built in 1970, will include new services and community spaces. That may include a gymnasium, splash pad, dance studio, tennis orpickleballcourts,a basketball court, and an indoor and outdoor walking track. The ice rink will remain open. The pool will close.

"The pool's gotta be there," said Rick Hobbs,a resident who came to protest the pool's closure. "They can add on. There's a whole park they can put their pickle court in and basketball. There's a whole park back there."

The group is critical of the city'splan to close the pool and enter an agreement with the University of Windsoras part ofa multi-million-dollar upgrade to the complex, located in Wilson Park on Wyandotte Street West.The partnership with the university will allow the community to use the new Lancer Centre pool, which is located about akilometre away from the Adie Knox Herman arena.

They argue theprocessis moving ahead with "minimal consultation."

'A real sham'

An online survey, whichwasavailable until June 15, asked residents for feedback. MacKenzie said many community members were notaware of the survey until it was too late.

"A lot of people have contacted me saying they didn't have an opportunityto voice their opinion," MacKenzie said.

ReneJacques,a member ofFriends of Adie Knox,said thousands of people have signed a petition to keep the pool at Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex.

"This is a real sham. The survey that they did, didnot even include an option to keep the pool open," said Jacques.

"The money they're spending tofinancethe university pool, could easily be spent here."

Helen Martin, a community member who has lived in the area since 1969 said her children learned to swim at Adie Knox.

"I feel like we're losing our community," said Martin. "It's a wonderful place for seniors. It'seasy to find."

If the pool is moved to the University of Windsor, Martin doesn't think she will use it.

On Monday, MacKenzie and Jacque will act as delegates for city council.They hope to present their own concerns and opinions andthose of the community.