Fears remain over fate of rec complex

There seems to be different perspectives out there among those who wish Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex remain open.

First, that Adie Knox has been saved since city council voted to keep the pool and rink. This belief is furthered by media headlines of “Adie Knox to stay as is” and “Rink left alone after public outcry,” and councillors saying, “Don’t worry, we won’t close the pool.”

But the motions approved by council are merely stopgaps.

Moving forward with the Recreation Master Plan, excluding recommendations pertaining to the closure of Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex, does not mean council cannot revisit these recommendations and vote differently.

Another perspective is the research is flawed.

The report states community input was “open to all residents” through posting on the City of Windsor website and holding information sessions at Devonshire Mall and Windsor International Aquatic Training Centre.

But how many people visit the city’s website?

When they do, it’s likely to look for something specific related to bus routes, taxes, or recreation timetables.

How many stakeholders frequent Devonshire Mall or WIATC? Who completed the survey? The seemingly small sample size of 697 residents missed many key stakeholders, including the people who use the Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex.

Most of these people didn’t even know there was a survey.

The Recreation Master Plan report also makes assumptions that to me just don’t make sense.

Foremost is the idea that because the WIATC is only two kilometres away, Adie Knox pool patrons could simply walk or bus to the latter. They looked at geography rather than demographics.

While technically some offerings could be transferred from Adie Knox to other pools, the ambience, sense of privacy and family-type welcome are unlikely to be recreated.

The swimmers of Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex come from all over Windsor and Essex County. They don’t come because of where it is, but rather what it is.

Linda Mackenzie, Friends of Adie Knox, Windsor