The future of the pool at Kennedy Collegiate high school looks set to be decided during budget talks at the Greater Essex County District School Board.
Trustee Alan Halberstadt wants to see the pool closed and possibly converted into an exercise space for students.
"I think gradually we should," says Halberstadt. "There might be space issues at Walkerville [Collegiate Institute], space issues at Kennedy [Collegiate] — and convert them to usable space."
Trustees heard Tuesday night the pool goes unused — costing more than $67,000 a year to maintain and is due for $120,000 in renewal costs over the next five years. Administration was bringing back a report on the pros and cons of possibly closing the pool requested by trustees at the board's previous meeting.
Student trustee and Kennedy student Colton Allen doesn't think losing the pool will upset many students — if any.
"The pool goes unnoticed," says Allen. "It's almost like we really don't have one."
An estimate from an architect firm puts the cost of infilling the pool at $190,000 while a full conversion to an exercise facility could cost about $800,000.
