Councillors To Fight For Wallaceburg Pool

Following a release by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent stating the Sydenham (Wallaceburg) pool is on the chopping block if budget increases were kept to 2%, Wallaceburg’s councillors have responded stating they are confident the pool is safe, and they will fight to keep it open.

The pool is currently used by the Wallaceburg Marlins swim team, as well as by the WDSS Tartans who have sent swimmers to OFSAA each year in the last decade, including Wallaceburg’s first OFSAA swimming gold medalist, Jack Cavanaugh. The pool is also a key source of recreation and fitness for many members of the Wallaceburg and area community year round.

“CK is supposed to be undertaking service reviews of all of their operations over the next year or two so I was very disappointed that the pool would be put on a list of possible cuts for this year’s budget – without being properly reviewed,” Wallaceburg councillor Jeff Wesley told CKSN via email.

“This list is only a list from staff, not council and there are many areas to cut…before we would ever get to cutting pools,” continued Wesley.

The budget publication recommended “Closure of Wallaceburg Sydenham Pool $166,000 offset with provision of operating costs for new splashpad $32,000 if fundraised).”

Councillor Wesley later followed inquiries by stating he and Councillor Sheldon Parsons were unaware the Wallaceburg pool would be listed as a possible area to cut. Wesley sent a brief letter to local media stating the following, “The budget process will continue throughout January and both Sheldon and I are taking this issue very seriously and we both support our pool.”

Continue to follow CKSN.ca for updates throughout the budget process regarding the Wallaceburg-Sydenham Pool and its possible closure.