City saves Adie Knox for now; looking at U of W pool access
After a lengthy and impassioned discussion over the future of Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex Monday night, Windsor city council passed a revised recreation master plan that saves the complex’s threatened pool and ice pad.
Of the draft plan’s 48 recommendations for improvements to recreation in the city, council voted 7-3 to pursue only the ones that keep the pool and ice pad operational. Voting against the motion to exclude the closure of two beloved Adie Knox amenities were Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, Ward 1 Coun. Fred Francis, and Ward 6 Coun. Jo-anne Gignac.
Ward 2 Coun. Fabio Costante strongly challenged the master plan’s recommendation to remove swimming and skating from one of the city’s most heavily used facilities. He also decried the notion of taking services from one of Windsor’s low-income neighbourhoods.
“I’m very grateful for council’s support,” Costante said following the meeting. “It’s a good signal to the community that council believes in over-investing in some of our neighbourhoods, including on the west side.”
He said Adie Knox is an “iconic space” in Windsor, and noted how highly utilized the space is. Many seniors use the therapy pool there before heading to Life After Fifty only a stone’s throw away on Mcewan Avenue.
“It’s become somewhat of a neighbourhood hub,” Costante said. “Folks like the on-site parking. They like that it’s intimate, small, welcoming.”
Costante said he received more than 50 calls and emails in three days from residents opposed to changes to Adie Knox.
Council requested administration report back on the feasibility of adding a new gym, walking track and recreation rooms to Adie Knox — all master plan proposals for “reimagining” the complex. The plan also called for removing the pool and rink and adding new activities like floor hockey and pickle ball.
Council approved a motion to explore a partnership with the University of Windsor that would allow the public access to the swimming pool being built in the school’s future $73-million Lancer Sport and Recreation Centre. Costante was the only one to vote against that motion, arguing the prospect of funnelling swimmers toward the university and away from Adie Knox was not in the spirit of keeping the west-end pool open.
During the meeting, Dilkens said it was council’s job to look at affordability and sustainability. He emphasized the proximity of Adie Knox to the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre (less than two kilometres).
“When you overinvest, you can’t ignore the fact that you’re talking about spending more money,” Dilkens said.
“Who’s paying that bill? The same people that you’re talking about protecting and providing the services for.”