The City of Windsor will close the pool at Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex next year after the pool at the Lancer Centre becomes available to residents.
The majority of Windsor City Councillors voted to close the pool and apply for a $13-million government grant to transform the facility into a community hub. Under this plan, the City of Windsor would provide $29-million for the reconstruction at Adie Knox and pay the University of Windsor a one-time payment of $3-million for the community use of the Lancer Centre pool.
Many residents spoke against the closure of the Adie Knox pool during Monday’s council meeting.
“I feel like no one is listening to Windsor’s poorest district. The Adie Knox pool is built rock-solid, it is nowhere near its best before date. If a rec centre were added to the Adie Knox complex it would attract even more people. Adie Knox pool is a huge success we should build on its success, not destroy it,” said Ward 2 resident Caroline Taylor.
The motion approved by council Monday evening also stipulated that if the government grant is not successful, the city will put $29-million in the next budget to support the reconfiguration of the building into a community centre.
It’s proposed the reconstruction project would include a gym, basketball courts, and a number of community-use rooms, however, more community consultation is expected before any plans are finalized.
Many councillors and delegations expressed their frustration over the lack of community consultation surrounding the deal with the University of Windsor. The City of Windsor launched a public survey surrounding the agreement after it was announced on June 8 and residents had until June 15 to respond.
“That was a set survey to guide people into a direction that we were already going and to support a decision that was already made. We didn’t talk to the residents in the community, we don’t talk to the residents in the community, we don’t have a regular conversation with them,” said Ward 3 Councillor Rino Bortolin.
As part of the motion, the administration has been directed to move forward with plans to build a splash pad and playground at Adie Knox immediately.
The ice pad at the Adie Knox Recreation Complex will remain as is under the current plan.
As part of the agreement with the City of Windsor, the University of Windsor has agreed to provide 93 per cent of the current programming currently offered at Adie Knox. They will also offer free parking at the Lancer Centre for community users.
The agreement will be for a 10-year term with an option for the city to renew for an additional 10 year term.
The remaining seven per cent of programming currently offered at Adie Knox will be moved to the Windsor International Training and Aquatic Centre.
The Lancer Centre is currently under construction and is expected to open in the spring of 2022. It is around 1 km away from the Adie Knox facility.
