News & Updates

Mayor's Monthly Editorial, September 2025

A priority of Council has always been to ensure our community has access to safe, inclusive and well-managed recreational opportunities. Our Recreation Centre is one of the most valued facilities in our town, and we know how much it means to residents of all ages who rely on it for fitness, wellness, and connection.

Recently, there has been a lot of community discussion around recreation services, primarily aquatics. The hot tub has been non-operational since the maintenance shutdown in April. This is due to cracked skimmer baskets and additional water leaking from an undetermined source into the mechanical chase surrounding the tub. This issue has required comprehensive investigation due to the nature of the piping system and complexity with infrastructure encased in concrete or underground. The skimmer baskets are essential to maintaining proper water circulation and safety. Unfortunately, due to the way the skimmer baskets are built into the concrete structure of the hot tub, repairs are challenging and require careful planning and consideration. The goal is to find a long-term solution that ensures the longevity of this amenity, and we are continuing to work closely with experts and contractors to explore targeted repair options.

Many residents have expressed interest in seeing the pool open seven days a week, particularly for those who would like more flexible opportunities to swim and enjoy aquatic programming. While this is a goal we share, I want to take a moment to explain the current challenges that prevent us from expanding hours at this time.

The primary barrier is the availability of lifeguards. We are facing a very competitive labour market and are still seeking to fill two permanent, part-time lifeguard roles, which are intended to allow the pool to operate seven days a week. These vacancies are being supplemented by casual, on-call lifeguards, which are typically students balancing school commitments, extracurricular activities, and family responsibilities, and their availability is often limited. Additionally, younger workers today are increasingly prioritizing a healthy balance between work, school, and personal time, which we respect and support. While this shift is positive for individual well-being, it does mean that staffing a facility seven days a week is more challenging than in the past. Our team has increased outreach efforts, offered additional training opportunities, and is exploring creative staffing solutions, but this issue is not unique to our community; it is a widespread challenge facing recreation facilities across Canada.

We remain deeply committed to serving our residents. Our focus is on delivering consistent, high-quality programming within our current staffing levels while continuing to invest in lifeguard development. Expanding to seven days a week remains a long-term goal, and with the support of the community, we will continue working to make this vision a reality. Thank you for your understanding and for supporting our Recreation Centre as a cornerstone of our community.