By Sarah Klein
Sherbrook Pool, 381 Sherbrook Street (GOOGLE STREET VIEW)
Advocates of the Sherbrook Pool are disappointed with the City of Winnipeg’s lack of investment in recreation.
Friends of Sherbrook Pool are pleased the Standing Committee on Community Services will move to ensure pool hours aren’t cut in the 2015 budget, but say the city’s rate of investment in recreation is still half of other Canadian cities.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ analysis of the city’s 2014 operating budget showed Winnipeg funds recreation operations at $32.20 per capita, while the average for similar cities is $58.69 per capita.
“We are already under-investing in recreation in Winnipeg so there should not be further cuts — not to hours, programs or facility closures,” said Marianne Cerilli, the chair of the Friends of Sherbrook Pool.
“Winnipeg residents across the city worked hard last year to get the City to commit to reopening Sherbrook Pool because they understand its value to our community and as a recreation landmark.”
A total of $4.2 million has been invested by the city and Kinsmen to reopen the pool, which was closed in 2012 due to structural concerns.
Executive Policy Committee will vote on the budget during a meeting on Tuesday.
