THUNDER BAY – A hot summer and closure of Dease Pool have made for a busy season at the other outdoor pool in the city’s east end.
This summer marks the first year people have not had the option of going to the century-old Dease Pool, which was closed by Thunder Bay city council last December.
A report by city administration had previously said there were 3,300 swimmers at Dease Pool during its entire eight-week season last year.
The nearby Art Widnall Pool in Minnesota Park has experienced a 42 per cent increase in attendance so far this summer, city community services manager Kelly Robertson said on Friday.
Robertson said while the pool has been busier there haven’t been any capacity issues.
“We haven’t had to turn anybody away. We haven’t reached capacity at any of the outdoor pools this summer,” Robertson said, adding the only shutdowns of the pool this year have been due to the threat of thunderstorms or a power disruption.
“All of the aquatic venues, even including the beaches, in my opinion are having healthy attendance this summer and staff are working hard. It’s great to see people out enjoying our aquatic venues.”
Robertson said there has also been a 11 per cent usage increase at Heath Pool, which she suggested could be at least partially attributed to the indoor Churchill Pool being closed this season by the demolition of the former high school.
City staff have implemented enhanced programming in the Dease Park area this year following the pool closure. Robertson said the playgrounds program is offered three days per week and a youth move program is available twice weekly.
“It’s the first year of this programming so it’s positive that it’s growing and I’m hearing positive feedback about that,” Robertson said.
