RRU in the Media: Access to public swimming pools is essential

The Capital Region currently boasts several swimming options, however, access to public swimming pools and local beaches is declining due to closures. 

Royal Roads University President and Vice-Chancellor Philip Steenkamp and Professor Sarah Wolfe from the School of Environment and Sustainability suggest four compelling reasons local leaders should prioritize access to public swimming pool in their recent opinion piece in the Times Colonist. 

Here is an excerpt of the article: 

“Having local pools is more important than ever because our beaches and lakes — once reliable alternatives — are frequently off-limits. 

“Island Health issues beach water advisories across Greater Victoria whenever E. coli (freshwater) or enterococci (saltwater) exceed safe thresholds. 

“This summer, elevated bacteria again closed Willows Beach and Sayward Beach, while blue-green algae warnings lingered at Thetis Lake, and Elk and Beaver Lakes. 

“Simultaneously, essential pools are disappearing from the south Island. UVic’s ­McKinnon Pool closed in 2024 after 50 years, citing aging infrastructure and an estimated $1.5 million in immediate maintenance costs. Victoria’s Crystal Pool is slated to close for demolition and won’t reopen until around 2030 after a $209 million replacement. 

“With lakes and beaches under advisory and two more pools unavailable, the downtown YMCA pool is a remaining ­community-based, climate-resilient refuge, particularly for children.”  

Read the full article in the Times Colonist   

Photo credit: Saanich Parks & Recreation