The welcoming warmth of Margaret Grant Pool

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/02/2016 (3820 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Fort Richmond has a treasure on 685 Dalhousie Dr., and it is known as Margaret Grant Pool. It serves the neighbourhoods of Fort Garry, Fort Richmond, and St. Norbert. On a cold winter evening, it’s a real gift of warmth and recreation.

It offers group and party bookings, water fitness programs, on-site parking, a water slide, a pool slide, and specialty change rooms.

According to the City of Winnipeg website, the interior of the Margaret Grant Pool building “has been reconfigured and renovated to enhance accessibility and create a more barrier-free facility.

“These improvements include addition of two specialty change rooms with ceiling-mounted lift systems, a new portable aquatic lift (PAL), accessible bi-level water fountains and an accessible front reception desk, while men’s and women’s change rooms now include accessible showers, with three public restrooms, two of which are accessible.

“Additional facility improvements include a re-tiled pool and pool deck, reconfigured and renovated public change rooms, and a new reception area.”

But who was Margaret Grant?

According to her 2012 obituary in the Winnipeg Free Press, Grant initiated and set up the first learn-to-swim and water safety programs in Fort Garry. A lifelong participant in all things aquatic, she was an expert water skier, taught and coached synchronized swimming and even became president of Synchro Manitoba. In appreciation of her work, the Margaret Grant Pool in Fort Richmond was named after her in 1972.

Sunday Olukoju is a community correspondent for Fort Richmond.