We would like to celebrate the success of the tireless advocates who worked hard to show Toronto City Councillors how important pools are to the people of Toronto! In the days following the dramatic meeting that finalized the 2012 budget, the AWG has received numerous communications from pool communities. People are very interested in finding out how they can help keep the 33 TDSB pools leased by the City for aquatics programming, fiscally and operationally sustainable beyond 2012. This email is an update on steps that are being taken to encourage the City to work closely with the AWG and local communities to determine the future of these pools.

SO WHAT’S THE LATEST DECISION BY CITY COUNCIL?

The Budget as finalized (link and pool provisions below) mandates City staff to continue negotiations with the Toronto Lands Corporation (TLC) and to consult with the AWG and Let’s Make Wave on issues such as pools utilization, aquatics programming and permit revenue. David Crombie TLC and AWG Chair and Shirley Hoy CEO of the TLC are conferring with City staff on re-initiating negotiations with the City and implementing budget provisions on consultations.  David Crombie will be reporting on all of these developments to the next meeting of the AWG:

Thursday, March 1st, 2012

5:00 – 7:00 pm

Metro Central YMCA

20 Grosvenor, Auditorium (2nd Floor)

At this meeting, we will also discuss the roles that the AWG needs to take on to ensure the continued operations of the pools. In the meantime, please feel free to contact us at this email address for further information or to submit completed pool surveys.

And again, know all your efforts and support have made, and will continue to make, a difference for aquatics in Toronto.

Looking forward to continuing our work together,

The AWG team

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THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WERE SUPPORTED BY TORONTO CITY COUNCIL

(also available at http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2012.EX14.1)

185. Prior to tabling a proposed agreement between the City and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) for use of TDSB pools by the City, the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in co-operation with the Steering Committee established to negotiate the renewal of the City/TDSB agreement, consult with the aquatics community, including the Aquatic Working Group, on the future city use of the remaining 26 pools under the current agreement.

i. The consultation should compare and consider the following information on City-owned and operated pools, TDSB pools utilized by the City under the current agreement, and the TDSB pools operated under Toronto Lands Corporation:

a. Participant numbers and user classes by location;

b. Revenues: permits and program fees by location;

c. Hours of usage; and

d. Pool distribution.

ii. The consultation inform the development of an aquatics plan for residents of the City that rationalizes future pool use.

186. City Council request staff to look at ways to bring in new permit revenue at all of the 33 Toronto District School Board pools used by the City.

187. City Council request The Toronto Lands Corporation to undertake a similar facility audit of the City-operated in-school pools as was undertaken for the Toronto District School Board operated in-school pools.

188. City Council request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to work with the Aquatic Working Group, Let’s Make Waves and the communities to increase permit revenues and to maximize the number of swimmers taking lessons in City run programming.

189. City Council request the City Manager to work with The Toronto Lands Corporation to reduce the cost of the operating agreement for City-operated in-school pools.