Volume 46 No. 12
September 5, 2017
S.H. Armstrong pool back in action By Anna Killen
WHEN SCHOOL let out for the summer, the fate of S.H. Armstrong’s pool was murky. A decision by council during last year’s budgetary process saw $162,000 of city programming money pulled from the pool, located inside the Toronto District School Board’s Duke of Connaught Public School, where the Beach meets Leslieville. The city cited low usage numbers and other city swimming options nearby as reasons to relocate the funding, but the community pushed back, determined to show the city that the pool was a neighbourhood asset. And show them they did. Heading into the school year, the pool’s future, while not out of the water just yet, is looking bright. “Had the utilization rate fallen, there wouldn’t have been a chance for this pool,” said Ward 30 Councillor Paula Fletcher, who worked closely with the community she represents to keep the pool open. “But I call it the ‘Little Pool That Could’... People have really taken ownership of the pool and gone out to make sure people are taking advantage of that pool.” Positive developments began in June when, following word that pool usage had shot from 69 per cent to 89 per cent after a push on social media, and aided by money from two local developers who want the pool to remain open, council voted to reconsider its decision. The pool would open for afterschool and weekend programs and lessons in the fall. a community Meanwhile, working group – formed following a motion put forward by Ward 32 Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon as other council members voted to cut the pool’s
funding – spent the summer working on a plan to increase the number of people and groups using the pool. The working group is unique, said Fletcher, in that it is cochaired by a community member and the city, and involves representatives from the TDSB, Toronto Community Housing, and local shelters Red Door and Hope Shelter. “It’s very community-based,” said Fletcher, noting she anticipates full programs when the fall season starts Oct. 2, in part because of the ideas brought forward by the working group. “It’s a great model... Usually we do these things in response to a crisis, but maybe we should be doing them here and there, looking at how to make better use of the facilities that we have.” Community organizer and cochair Sara Ehrhardt agrees. “People have come together from different walks of life ... what’s happening is pretty exciting,” she said. “You wouldn’t normally have this much focus on any one pool, and I think it’s bringing to light issues and a better understanding of community needs.” Now, there will be a targeted women and girls night at the pool, more lessons for toddlers to address the growing community, as well as more adult lane swims. Practical things like the temperature of the pool have also been addressed, as well as steps to streamline the process to rent the pool for parties. “There’s still work to be done,” said Ehrhardt, noting the importance of outreach and community involvement to make sure the pool gets funding in the future. Continued on Page 9
PHOTO: ANNA KILLEN
Danforth Taps Tap dancer Travis Knights performs with the Kristian Podlacha Trio at the final Danforth Rocks event at Stephenson Park Aug. 30. The Danforth Village BIA and Friends of Stephenson Park hosted the family-friendly concert series Wednesday nights in August, and the community got in on the fun.
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