Inglewood residents fighting to keep their pool
Posted Aug 26, 2019 7:47 am.
Last Updated Aug 26, 2019 7:56 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – The message was loud and clear as community members rallied Sunday to save the Inglewood pool.
The rally, titled ‘Save YYC Pools’ drew dozens from the community and nearby neighbourhoods.
Lots showed up to #saveyycpools event to protest proposed closures of Inglewood and Beltline pools. Short-sighted for #yyccc to shutter these rec amenities. Just like wrong for school brds to try close Ramsay, Colonel Walker and St Angela schools. #abpoli pic.twitter.com/Runa6sT2TY
— Joe Ceci (@joececiyyc) August 25, 2019
One of those supporters is Joey Flodberg, who has been using the pool for over 40 years and said it’s a vital part of the inner-city community.
“As an inner-city taxpayer, we pay horrific taxes and I am resentful of when the city needs money, they look to us to lose our pool. Well, it’s not going to happen, it doesn’t work.”
Flodberg said the pool is popular with senior citizens who value it’s accessibility options.
She adds that it’s not just Inglewood residents who come to the pool.
“It services Montgomery, Inglewood, Sunnyside, Forest Lawn, Arbour Lake.”
The city says it’s closing the facility as part of its plan to cut $60 million from its budget. It cites a lack of revenue as the reason for closing the pool. The city also plans to shut down the Beltline Aquatic Centre on January 1, 2020.
WATCH: Pulling the plug on inner city pools
Naomi Withers, with the Inglewood Community Association, said the pool is a popular spot not just for aquatics but group gatherings and birthday parties. She’s now encouraging residents to step up and show the city that the pool can stay afloat.
“If community members can buy memberships to the pool, month passes or ten card passes, it will only help with the profitability of the pool and the options to keep it open.”
Withers said she has talked with the city’s recreation department on other ways to help boost revenue, including different hours and modifying the programs offered at the pool.
The Inglewood pool is slated to close on December 31, 2019.
With files from CityNews
