Brandon Sportsplex pool gets reprieve
Brandon councillors have reversed a plan to close an aging city-owned swimming pool.
The previous city council voted in August 2010 to close the pool at the Community Sportsplex once a new YMCA facility was built downtown. The matter became a hot issue leading up to the civic election in October, ultimately chasing then-Mayor Dave Burgess out of office.
Shari Decter Hirst was elected new mayor on a promise to review the financial viability of the Sportsplex pool.
Public consultations were held and an online discussion forum was offered to get feedback.
And on Monday, the council decided to pull out some of the money it had earmarked for the YMCA and redirect it to repairs at the 32-year-old Sportsplex pool that was built for the 1979 Canada Winter Games.
"It was because of the advice and guidance and feedback we got from the residents of Brandon that allowed councillors to come to the decision that we made tonight," Decter Hirst said Monday evening following the decision.
As a result, the YMCA will build a smaller pool and Brandon will end up with two aquatic facilities.
