2 Edmonton outdoor pools open for season, 2 more to open in following weeks
Thursday's overcast weather didn't stop Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Andrew Knack from turning up to Fred Broadstock Outdoor Pool's grand opening in swimming trunks, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
"I wish it was a slightly sunnier day," he said, speaking to media before the 11 a.m. opening, but nonetheless Knack said he felt "ready to jump in the pool."
And that he did.
"I'm just going to hang out here for the rest of the day. Can I tune into the council meeting for the rest of the day?" he asked, floating by the edge.
Two of the city's public outdoor pools are already open: Fred Broadstock and Queen Elizabeth. Oliver and the natural Borden pools are scheduled – weather permitting – to open June 3 and June 10, respectively.
This year, the city is returning to a full-season schedule like it operated before the pandemic, meaning pools opened in May as soon as weather – and air quality, this year – allowed and won't close until the September long weekend.
The price of doing so is $234,000, Knack said.
"We're still trying to be very careful with every dollar that we spend, but this is one of those things that I think most people just see and say, 'Yeah, that's worth investing in,'" the councillor explained.
"I love this pool in particular. Like, right in the middle of a community, so close to so many families… You look around these communities where some of these outdoor pools exist, there aren't as many other amenities for them, so this is that spot. This is the community hub."
Pool reservations can be made online. Reservations are not required but "encouraged," the city says, to reduce lineups. Spots can be booked up one week in advance.
Outdoor pool admission is included with all city recreation centre memberships as well as the Summer Youth Pass, which goes on sale June 19. Children aged 12 and under can go to outdoor pools for free.
Edmonton's pools counted nearly 96,000 visitors over July and August in 2022.
Mill Creek Outdoor Pool, which is under construction, will be closed for the season and is expected to open next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.