The St. Albert Sailfish Swim Club was denied its request to use the public swim lane for the month of May.
After a spirited council debate, impassioned pleas to keep the public lane open by two interested swimmers and speeches from club parents while about 30 members of the club – kids and parents both – looked on, a 4-3 vote decided against allowing the club’s request to use the lane. The club had been granted extra space for June, July and August but May had been a sticking point.
“I’m really hoping that for this one short month, May 2016, we can try and make something work,” said Coun. Cathy Heron, who made the motion. Her motion would have granted the club’s request to access that lane in May for 2.5 hours a day, and would have had a report come back to council about any resident concerns or issues that were raised.
Heron’s motion was supported by Coun. Wes Brodhead and Coun. Cam MacKay. Coun. Sheena Hughes, Coun. Tim Osborne, Coun. Bob Russell and Mayor Nolan Crouse voted against the motion.
Crouse said he appreciates recreation options in St. Albert being available for spontaneous use. He said given the recent discussions around demand for pool space, he looks forward to seeing a councillor advance a budget motion to bump up when a new pool will be built.
Osborne said council had received many emails on both sides of the lane debate.
“I feel a little like we’re in Sophie’s Choice here,” he said, noting there would probably be about 15 public lane swimmers impacted to let another 15 young swimmers join the club, which has a waiting list. The club has been unable to expand for years.
Hughes said she was voting against the motion because she didn’t want to set a precedent and because the club hadn’t fully explored every option, having asked the club president about looking into using Edmonton pools.
“I’m coming down on the side of the individual swimmers,” said Russell.
Brodhead, MacKay and Heron all noted this would be a one month trial and would let more young swimmers get into the pool.
“You’re always trying to accommodate kids and I’d like to try it and just see what happens,” MacKay said.
Two adult swimmers spoke to council to support the public lane being left available for spontaneous use.
“Not everyone is able to train at times during the day due to their work and their personal schedule,” said Tammy Mollenkoph.
Dorothy Pino is another avid swimmer and her comments were similar, noting many people’s schedules don’t allow them to go during the day.
Sailfish club parent Janet McKinley said her family was lucky enough to get a spot on the team, saving her from having to travel outside of St. Albert.
“So many children stand to lose out on a great opportunity to be part of an awesome team,” she said.
Werner Biegler is the club board president and advocated for his club to get the lane. He told council there is a double standard in place with the practice of ensuring spontaneous swimming is protected but he can’t go use an indoor ice rink whenever he likes, for example.
He pointed out the long time practice of leaving the lane open is not enshrined in policy.
In an interview on Tuesday morning, Biegler said he was proud of his club members who made the time to wait for three hours on Monday night to show support for the motion.
“The voice of youth swimming took a sad step backwards in St. Albert. The message was clear: if youth aquatic clubs want to grow, go to Edmonton,” he said.
The club will continue to advocate for youth aquatics in St. Albert, he said.
