Comments from the neighbourhood regarding "Wading Pool Closing"

L. D. wrote on 06/12/2011 8:11 pm

Hello Friends,

I wrote some of you a few days ago, warning you of the City's plan's to close MacGregor Wading Pool. This is information was just recently released and is being rushed through budget committee tomorrow. I'm sure there are several items in the 2012 budget, that are being contested, and this one, is in our backyard.

One of the reason's put forward, for MacGregor having been recommended for closing is attendance.

We all know this simply isn't true. It's a growing community hub, with increased attendance for the past 6 years. In the summer it plays host to our local daycare Brock, Children's Network and local daytime programs, looking for a place for the kids to cool off. Neighbourhood kids come and go all day, with local grandparents, moms and dads taking time getting to know one another as the kids swim, play, or take part in one of the varied pool side activities: arts n' crafts, cooking, gardening etc..

If you haven't already please take some time to write a letter or compose some comments to send to:

deputations are now closed, but to have your comments on the record write to: buc@toronto.ca
re: bu19.ca, please cc

our councillor councillor_bailao@toronto.ca
and her executive assitant: brootmc@toronto.ca
(both are cc'd above)

The following are relevant documents if you are interested

re: Dec 1st, 2011
Released Confidential Information
Parks Forestry and Recreation Service Change locations
http://www.toronto.ca/budget2012/pdf/pfr_service_locns.pdf

This Document lists MacGregor to be closed page 5.

From: Councillor Bailao
To: L. D.
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 10:46:37 AM
Subject: Re: MacGregor(on LansdowneAve) Wading Pool Closing

Good morning,

Thank you for taking the time to contact me on the announced budget proposal to reduce service at the MacGregor Park wadding pool.

Like you, this proposal was of great surprise to me. Not only is the wadding at MacGregor Park well used, but it is also regularly bustling with other events; art classes, marshmallow roasts, and drama presentations are all part of the great community programming at this park.

The suggestion to remove staff from the MacGregor Park wadding pool is not a "cost-saving measure" that I support. I have been involved with many important conversations at City Hall that surround spending carefully and spending wisely; weakening a community recreation program that affects young kids and families should not be part of these conversations.

I have been working closely with City Staff to identify areas where costs can be reduced and spending relocated in order to save programming at MacGregor Park. This will be an ongoing process and, in advocating on behalf of the strong community support for this pool, I will be bringing your comments with me onto the floor of Council.

Thank you again for contacting me, and please do not hesitate to do so at anytime in the future.

From: A. M.
Date: 6 December, 2011 10:08:47 PM EST
To: "councillor_bailao@toronto.ca"
Subject: Cuts to services

I would like to voice serious concerns about the cuts being contemplated by City Council. I am appalled at the direction I see things moving in and do not agree with the things that are being done to balance the budget at the expense of the people who live in Toronto, particularly those who are already struggling.

There are people who cannot afford to rent DVDs, and who borrow from the library - films and books - as their only option. They might be people who are new to this once vibrant city who are trying to learn a new language and become part of a community in the city they have chosen to call home. Some cannot afford to pay for programs for their children and try to enrich the lives of their children and themselves by attending community events and meeting neighbors at a park such as McGregor where there is a wading pool for their children. And what better way to enjoy a hot summer day in the city and know your children are safe and occupied doing something healthy than at a local pool.

Toronto was a great city of communities where there were dozens of community activities available to everyone. There is no justification, none, for making the cuts being contemplated, for charging for and cutting services that benefit our children, families and communities.

As my Councillor I would like to know that you are going to fight hard to maintain these services and to let Mr Ford and his supporters know that the vision they have for this city is destroying what many people all over the world have seen as an ideal place to live.

From: A. W.
To: buc@toronto.ca
Cc: councillor_bailao@toronto.ca; brootmc@toronto.ca
Sent: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 11:30:12 AM
Subject: bu19.ca

To whom it may concern,

My name is A. W. and I run our local gymnastics club, the T-Dot Tumblers Gymnastics Academy at 128 Sterling Road. We originated out of McCormick community center and have been at our new location for just over two years.

When we moved to Sterling rd, we struggled with where to now send our summer campers to cool off and play. Being in a non-air conditioned building, cooling off is vital for them in our hot summers. Throughout summer 2010 and the first half of summer 2011 we were excited to attend Columbus Parkette, which was newly renovated, but were disappointed that there were no bathrooms and especially that the wadding pool didn't open until about 11:45 most days. This did not give our 3-5 year old half day campers any time to swim. Also, the wadding pool became extremely crowded this past summer and various camps had to take turns in the wadding pool.

We then discovered McGregor park and wadding pool half way through this summer! We were thrilled and so were the kids! The pool is larger, the park is too, there are bathrooms but above all the staff there are incredible! Not just Marina who was in charge and looked after our every need, but even the junior staff. They were friendly, knowledgeable and above all acted like they enjoyed their jobs and wanted to be there for the children visiting! They would go out of their way to find fun activities for the kids to do and ensure they were safe in the pool. We participated a few times in the waffle or taco making which was a blast for the kids! We also made sure to donate some money when we did this to more than cover the cost of the food supplies.

We have over 1000 gymnasts at our gym each year now and we are continuing to grow. There are not one but two circus schools on our street too now which run camps in a sports complex that offers ball hockey and is continuously being renovated. I expect more and more children's programs in the area soon. I have been told that the Roncesvalles area has something like the highest birth rate in Canada in the last 3-5 years. There are kids all around, and we are all just trying to find the safest most appropriate places to take them to grow and have fun.

We take our half day 3-5 year old campers to the park once a week as well as our full day recreational campers and planned to attend more than this next summer now that we know it is there. Even our competitive girls, who are there all summer and have little time for fun, enjoyed the wadding pool after running laps around the track at the school next door. We thought we found our niche finally in this big industrial city (being originally from Sudbury where the trees and lakes are ample this is important to me as I recall my childhood nature related memories fondly). We were excited to visit McGregor even more next year.

Our landlord just took away our picnic tables and small grassy area behind our gym which we used for snack time each day to put in more parking. Now we hear that our local wadding pool will be closed down too. We are very sad for the kids this summer.

We hope very much that you will reconsider your plan to close down McGregor. Please let me know if there is anything we can do to help ensure it remains available for our children to enjoy.

Thank you for taking the time to listen,