Hot weather brings high demand to Winnipeg outdoor pools
CTV
As temperatures heat up across southern Manitoba, people in Winnipeg are flocking to city-run swimming pools to try and cool down. But with the high demand, some facilities are struggling to keep up.
As temperatures heat up across southern Manitoba, people in Winnipeg are flocking to city-run swimming pools to try and cool down. But with the high demand, some facilities are struggling to keep up.
At St. Vital Outdoor Pool, dozens of people waited in line for nearly 45 minutes before they could get inside.
“Usually you get in right away, but because of the closures of the other pools, you’re waiting now a long time to get in,” said Judy Lavergne, who lives near the facility.
Happyland Pool on Marion Street is one of three pools set to be shutdown as part of the City of Winnipeg’s four-year budget. The pool was closed earlier this year after city council voted down a proposal to save it in May.
“Nobody is happy about this,” said Teresa Cwik, the president of the South St. Boniface Residents Association.
Cwik said she’s been advocating to keep Happyland Pool open, and with help from the community, she was able to raise more than $80,000 to have the pool stay afloat. But when the funds were offered to the city, they were denied.
“When we went there, they wanted $85,000,” Cwik said. “They asked for another $100,000 on top of it to open and close the pool.
