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Kincardine told to upgrade the Davidson Centre pool By Liz Dadson |
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While more and more is added to the Davidson Centre, the pool has been left to fall into disrepair. That's the word from Mike Gade who spoke to Kincardine council last night (Jan. 12), during the public forum part of the meeting. Referring to the recently-completed community needs study, Gade said that document acknowledges that the Davidson Centre pool is aging and does not meet modern aquatic standards. "Go take a look at our pool," he said. "Then visit other local pools, in Hanover and Goderich." He said upgrading the Kincardine pool would take about $600,000. Besides structural work, the project would include renovating the change rooms, building a warm therapy area, and upgrading the equipment. Gade said that swimming is the number one sport for recreation and leisure. In fact, the provincial trend indicates that swimming is second only to walking for leisure pursuits. He urged council to consider its own community needs study and pointed to page 24 which states that 51 per cent of the people surveyed said the Davidson Centre pool is the most important facility, and is in most need of upgrading. "When you take 51 per cent times the population, that's 6,100 people," said Gade. "That's how many people support this view." He said the municipality has spent about $4 million on two additions to the Davidson Centre, but spent nothing on the pool. "I'm shocked and surprised that there are no plans to renovate the pool," he said. "The users of the pool are a diverse group, including kids taking lessons, and adults for fitness and leisure." He said at a meeting held to discuss the community needs study, an elderly man came forward and said the pool saved his life. He had suffered a heart attack and the only rehabilitation he could do was in the pool. "The users of the pool are not a huge group represented by a single voice," said Gade. "But every household is represented - from kids to adults, for recreation and for rehab. I'd like council to recognize that the pool is a priority for this community."
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He said the Davidson Centre is a hodgepodge of new
versus old. "The new sections are beautiful, while the old sections are
falling further behind the times." Gade urged council to make the pool a priority during its four-year term, and restore it to what it should be. He also presented council with a letter from the Kincardine District Secondary School Knights Aquatic, supporting a plan to renovate and upgrade the Davidson Centre pool. Council is not
allowed to discuss issues brought to the public forum. However, later
in council session, it was agreed to refer this issue to the recreation
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