To the editor:
We are told no money is available to refurbish or replace Dease Pool. Yet parks and recreation department received a $500,000 from the Municipal Golf Course sale.
I clearly recall then Coun. Iain Angus’ resolution. Since the money was not earmarked for any specific project, it should still be in the account.
Ms. Banning has provided information that a refurbished pool costs $600,000.
Allocating the $500,000 mentioned above only leaves $100,000 to be found.
That is a relatively small sum. If refurbishment is not possible, let’s accept city staff’s numbers ranging from $2 million to $3 million for a new pool.
Such a pool will last at least 30 years.
A 30-year debenture can be repaid for about $100,000 annually given today’s low-interest rates.
That is a whole lot less than annual subsidies to the complex or auditorium for example. Let kids be kids.
They do not want structured play activities in a school during summer months. They just want to hang around with friends at Dease Pool. Widnall Pool is simply too far away and already packed with swimmers on a daily basis anyway.
Let’s give kids what they want to keep – a pool in their own neighbourhood. Keep Dease Pool open.
Fred Johnson,
Thunder Bay
