Community gathers to say goodbye to Scona Pool
Officials and community members gathered Sunday to bid farewell to Scona Pool after 65 years.
The event included a speaking program, snacks, and a free swim.
Edmonton’s executive committee voted 4-1 to close the pool in August because of the building’s worsening condition and growing repair costs.
Councillor Michael Janz was at the event on Sunday to represent the city.
“The loss of Scona Pool will leave a swimming pool-sized hole in our hearts,” he said.
“Like all things, pools are incredibly expensive to own, to operate, to maintain, so there came a time when council decided it’s better to focus our limited resources on building the replacement rec centre than continually investing in the upkeep and renewal of this one.”
Residents in the area say the city knew about the problems with the pool and should have looked into a solution earlier.
“Thirteen years ago we already knew we needed a pool, right? Please do better and get us a pool,” said Kirby Feng, who’s been coaching the Strathcona High School Swim Team out of the pool since 1990.
“Just remember why any of this kind of community happens. Take us to the next stage, build us a new pool, help us get these kids in the water and keep our community together.”
Other residents are also lamenting the loss.
“We don’t drive, so to get to a different pool is a bit of a hassle, so it’s nice to have this two blocks from the house,” Angela Hallwell told CTV News Edmonton.
“I think they could have did more to keep the pool open until there was a replacement pool at least. So for now who knows how long it will be until we have something to enjoy in our community.”
“My knees have stopped working for me, so all I can do is swim, and that’s my exercise,” said Nicole Aippersbach.
“I’m excited that something new is coming, but in the interim there’s really nothing. I’d have to drive somewhere to get any swimming in.”
The Rollie Miles Recreation Centre, which will replace the pool, is in the design phase, but hasn’t been funded by the city.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Joe Scarpelli and Diego Romero.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.