Which pools may be saved to stay open in Winnipeg
Two pools on the city's chopping block could be staying afloat, for now.
The city's four-year preliminary budget proposed closing Windsor Park, Happyland, and Eldon Ross pools because they're aging with costly repairs required.
Following pressure from the impacted communities, the mayor's executive policy committee voted on several changes to the budget.
“I think with a couple of the decisions that are being made today, they're hard decisions, but they're future-focused,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham.
The changes include keeping Windsor Park Pool open for this year and next while upgrades are being done to Bonivital Pool. In the meantime, the city will do consultation on the “aquatic needs” for St. Boniface in the long term.
City finance committee chair Jeff Browaty said that could include a new pool.
“If we look at the success and the popularity of the more regional centres like the one in Transcona and how successful that is, sort of that type of model, we would probably want to emulate that here,” said Browaty.
Amber Gauthier from the Windsor Park Resident’s Association said they are on board with the move as it gives them time to regroup.
"We supported it so that we can have a couple of years to figure out our next move," said Gauthier.
What won't be in the long-term plans is Happyland Pool, which is still set to close for good.
St. Boniface city councillor Matt Allard said the community is devastated about the closure.
"St. Boniface residents are feeling there's been a net loss to the community, I'm hoping that loss will feel like a win, but for now it really hurts," said Allard.
There is potential to save Eldon Ross.
EPC agreed to keep the indoor pool operational through the summer, while a request for proposal process is launched, to sell the pool to a private or not-for-profit operator. There will be a provision attached, that the public will still be allowed to use it. Point Douglas city councillor Vivian Santos said she envisions the city could provide an operating grant.
"Swimming is a necessity, it is a life-saving skill,” said Santos. “I think there's a lot of interest in that, in the private sector."
Council votes on the budget and the changes Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The mom is shattered': Body of employee who died at Halifax Walmart was found by her mother
The Maritime Sikh Society says the body of a young employee who died at a Walmart in Halifax last weekend was found by her mother.
'Horrific': Four people dead after Tesla slams into pillar and catches fire on Lake Shore Boulevard in Toronto
Four people are dead and another is in hospital after a Tesla driving through downtown Toronto at a high rate of speed crashed into a guardrail and struck a concrete pillar on Lake Shore Boulevard.
Prosecutor recommends parole for Menendez brothers in 1989 murder of parents
A Los Angeles prosecutor said on Thursday he would ask a judge to release Erik and Lyle Menendez on parole after nearly 35 years in prison for the shotgun murder of their parents, as new evidence emerged indicating they were sexually abused by their father for years.
Former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model says Trump groped her to show off for Jeffrey Epstein
A former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model is alleging that former President Donald Trump groped her in the 1990s, in what she believes was an attempt to show off for Jeffrey Epstein.
'Never said I was going to close the door on politics forever': Christy Clark on interest in federal leadership run
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces growing pressure from within his own caucus to step aside, former B.C. premier Christy Clark says she is open to returning to politics.
2 suspects arrested after 4 teens stabbed outside Montreal high school
Montreal police say four teenagers suffered stab wounds after an altercation near John F. Kennedy High School in the city's Villeray—Saint-Michel—Parc-Extension borough on Thursday.
More straight couples are calling each other partner. Here's why
Within a year of dating, 31-year-old Siara Rouzer crossed a major relationship milestone. The guy she was seeing was no longer a boyfriend but her partner.
Trudeau announces massive drop in immigration targets as Liberals make major pivot
The federal government is slashing immigration targets to levels that will flatten population growth as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admits the government did not get the balance right after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Police identify woman stabbed to death in park in Ottawa's south end
The Ottawa Police Service has identified the woman who was stabbed to death at Paul Landry Park on Uplands Drive Thursday morning.