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
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'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.
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.
It could take years to catch up on child vaccinations in Ontario post-pandemic
Ontario is still playing catch up on routine vaccinations that many children missed during the pandemic and public health officials are warning that it could take years to solve the problem.