After receiving public backlash in regards to the Fernie Aquatic Centre annual pool closure, Fernie council discussed re-evaluating the closing dates for the spring of 2016.
Currently the pool is closed for their annual maintenance shutdown from May 16 to July 2, but during the May 25 council meeting, Coun. Jon Levesque proposed investigating alternatives to the current scheduled pool closure.
“Let’s just re-evaluate the problem,” he said, bringing forward a motion to direct staff to look into other solutions.
Coun. Ange Qualizza reiterated Levesque’s remarks stating, “A lot of parents in the community feel strongly that skiing is done, hockey is done, this is a great chance to get 10 weeks of swimming lessons before July and August at Koocanusa.”
She went on to say, “I would like to support Mr. Levesque’s request to investigate the pool closure.”
Chief Executive Officer Jim Hendricks proposed re-assessing the situation in the fall.
Originally, the city began shutting the pool down during the months of May and June after a survey revealed that those were the months when it was occupied the least, Mayor Mary Giuliano said.
“Things change,” she noted, agreeing that the closure dates need to be looked at again.