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Neighbourhood Forum

Canstar Community News - ONLINE EDITION

Pool still an integral part of community

By: Terese Taylor

Posted: 07/4/2012 10:32 AM | Comments: 0

To some, it’s a little piece of paradise. To others, especially parents, it’s a lifesaver. It’s referred to as the "hottest pool in town" by its fans who joke about its temperature.


Sherbrook Pool was prominently featured in Guy Maddin’s iconic film My Winnipeg and holds more than 80 years of fond memories. Hundreds of Winnipeggers took their first swimming lessons there or trained for aquatic sports.


Due to a number of factors, the pool eventually fell off the community radar. Today, people new to the neighborhood often don’t even know it exists.


Friends of Sherbrook Pool, a local volunteer run organization, aims to turn that trend on it’s heels.


FOSP created Kidswim, a successful and expanding free program that provides Level 1 to 7  swimming lessons to children in the area. The organization works with many other local community groups and responds to needs and issues that are identified.


Its latest programs include a summer activity camp and swim lessons for teens, including newcomers to Canada.


"Some newcomers, depending on where they came from, have never had the opportunity to learn to swim. They are also adjusting to a totally foreign culture....getting out and moving around and keeping active during the winter months can be a challenge," says Lisa Martens, a co-ordinator of the FOSP program.


 When funding meant for renovations got diverted from the pool in the 1990s, FOSP was able to intervene. A survey of the area was undertaken, and campaigning began to bring some needed attention to the resource that some people identified as past due.


Today the outlook for the pool is much brighter. FOSP is continuing with architectural assessments and looks forward to pushing ahead with important renovations along with community participation. Along with the Sherbrook Sharks, the pool’s competitive swim team, FOSP had a positive meeting with Mayor Sam Katz  and other city officials. A new sign is ready to draw attention to the pool’s location. There are also several renovation projects currently underway.


Sherbrook Pool, located just north of Portage Avenue, is the oldest public bath in Western Canada. Originally built in the 1930s, it was actually a make-work project to provide for recreational needs of a community facing hard times.


Its the heat, uncommon in older buildings and most other pools, that offers an easy benefit to both ends of the age spectrum. The water and the air temperature are comfortable year-round, making it pleasant for babies and young children and accessible to people and seniors with health issues that are affected by cold, such as arthritis.


The large change rooms in the basement have retained original architectural features that distinguish them from modern designs. People who have difficulty with the stairs can access smaller specialty change rooms, bathrooms and showers on the main floor.


Community members are encouraged to contact the FOSP office at 786-1728 or email them at friendsofsherbrookpool@gmail.com to register their kids for swimming lessons and summer activities.


Terese Taylor is a Wolseley-based writer.


Neighbourhood Forum is a readers’ column. If you live in The Metro area and would like to contribute to this column, contact jim.timlick@canstarnews.com.

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