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
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.