Kinsmen Pool lives on thanks to community
KRIS DUBE
SPECIAL TO POSTMEDIA
The Kinsmen Pool has shown its age in recent years but the public facility is alive and well.
Built 50 years ago, the municipally-owned swimming spot in Fort Erie is in its second full summer since it reopened after a three-year closure due to its poor condition.
Under a lease agreement between the Town and the Fort Erie Underwater Recovery Unit, the pool has been full every day this season for public use as well as swimming lessons, says Ward 2 Coun. Stephen Passero, the local politician who has led the charge on behalf of the community pool since the last term of council.
The facility operates on grants, fundraising efforts and donations that can be made on-site at its Gilmore Road location.
“We’ve been very fortunate that the community has been very generous,” said Passero.
The pool reopened halfway through the 2015 season thanks to more than $100,000 in donations, grants, time and materials from various individuals and organizations in town.
The underwater recovery unit is responsible for all operating costs through donations and grants.
Passero also said significant donations were made earlier this year by the Fort Erie Kinettes and the local Zonta Club to cover costs was lowered into the ground in the Veterans Section of Victoria Lawn Cemetery in St. Catharines.
According to his brother, Christopher, the young Alex had “a remarkable war record.” As a signaller aboard the submarine chaser he associated with public swimming.
The change rooms at the facility were renovated through funding had not only witnessed the sinking of the in 1915 but had also helped escort the Lapland across the Atlantic Ocean with members of Canadian Expeditionary Force’s 98th Battalion Lincoln & Welland Regiment in 1916.
But, it was Wilson’s heroic role from the Niagara Community Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart provides the financial in capturing the lieutenant of a German submarine for which “he received very high mention.”
Three years after he was demobilized in 1918, Wilson and his family travelled across the Atlantic aboard the to start a new life in Canada — but this time Alex was below decks. They were destined to join his sister-in-law’s family on a farm near Invermay in central Saskatchewan.
The family relocated to Niagara in 1927, and Wilson was able to secure work on the canal with his brother. On the day of the accident, the two had been working together in a crew of 20 riveting the steel plates to the massive gate. Christopher was on the floor of the lock as foreman in charge while Alex was part of the riveting gang.
The younger Wilson’s last words had been: “Oh my God! The gate’s falling!” Even though Christopher was fortunate enough to avoid the same fate by being pushed aside support for the swimming lesson program, also allowing it to be offered for free.
Passero said lessons are nearly at capacity and public swimming days are very well-attended. During its last term, council chose not to sink more than $10,000 into the pool. Now, three years into a new term of council, Passero says he is glad to see the facility being used to its full potential again.
The cost to replace the pool was estimated at more than $2 million in 2011.
“We had a lot of people who didn’t think it was possible to get it reopened,” says Passero. “I’m very glad we’ve continued to prove them wrong.”
Considering the pool’s age, annual repairs are expected each time a new season starts and Passero said the volunteers who take care of the facility will address them the best they can.
In the fall, Passero says he will present a strategy to council on how to replace the facility in up to four years.
“I won’t stop until that happens,” he says.
Passero also thanks the Fort Erie Underwater Recovery Unit for its commitment to the community.
“If it wasn’t for them then I would not have been able to start down the path to reopen the facility,” he says. “Their willingness to take it over started the ball rolling, and the community has showed its continued desire and need for the facility.”
The pool was built by the Fort Erie Kinsmen Club in 1967.