City leases Eastglen pool to Australian firm
Deal designed to revitalize facility; residents say they have concerns
The city intends to lease Eastglen pool to a private company for most of its operating hours in an attempt to boost shrinking attendance figures.
Starting in September, Paul Sadler Swimland will run swimming lessons and other programs at the leisure centre 12 hours a day on weekdays and six hours on each weekend day, says Rob Smyth, manager of community and recreation facilities.
“We thought this was a good way to see if we can revitalize an older inner-city pool,” he said Monday.
“We think there’s some good potential here.”
It’s the first time the city has leased a recreation centre to a private firm in this way, he said.
The number of people using the site, at 11410 68th St., has been dropping for the last decade, Smyth said.
Although it has one of Edmonton’s few saltwater tanks, it has the lowest attendance of the 17 city-run facilities with pools.
“This programming piece is a potentially new way of doing business, and let’s see if that works,” Smyth said.
The Australian firm, which already runs swimming classes in Riverbend, approached the city about using the centre a couple of years ago, he said.
They’ve struck a three-year deal either side can cancel; if it’s successful, the city will seek proposals from other interested companies.
City staff will continue to run the centre and visitors can keep using the hot tub and steam room.
Swimland will pay a fee and cover the cost of boosting the water temperature to 32C from 29.5C.
Smyth wouldn’t release financial details.
But some local residents aren’t happy with the scheme.
They fear it will cut into daytime lane swims and aqua-fit, although Smyth said they’re arranging for both to continue. They also think the warmer water will make exercise uncomfortable.
“We’re trying to work with these different groups and citizens, but fully realize there’s some concerns.”
Susan Ruttan, president of the Highlands Community League, said her organization was only told about the proposal in March.
“We have heard from an increasing number of people who use the pool,” she said.
“They are really distressed about it, particularly the long hours during the weekdays and raising the pool temperature.”
The city has set up a meeting this week with the Highlands and Bellevue community leagues, Ruttan said.
“I think the city has a problem, and they have to figure out what to do about that.”
Renovations done over the last two years should make it less likely the pool will close permanently, she said.
While some young families are looking forward to the swimming program, other people feel the change will reduce their Eastglen exercise options, she said.
“There’s far more anger than there is enthusiasm.”
Coun. Tony Caterina, who represents the area, isn’t sure about the impact on residents and nearby Eastglen High School, which runs a swim academy at the facility with Penguin Swimming.
“I think we have to listen to the community,” Caterina said.