Competitive swimmers have been assured by the Town of Hawkesbury that any temporary closure of the indoor pool at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex will be scheduled so their programs are not affected.

On Monday, December 9, Julia Santamaria appeared before council as a representative of the Hawkesbury Orca Swim Team. She said the club was disappointed to find out during recent budget discussions that the pool may close from April to September while equipment replacement work is done inside the facility. The equipment requiring replacement is for dehumidification and pool chemistry.

Santamaria said the Orca team has about 60 swimmers of all ages, in addition to the Silver Dolphins group. She said the organization found out about the possible closure through a social conversation. Santamaria said the swimmers need time at the pool to prepare for regional and provincial competitions.

“The high-level swimmers are probably training eight times a week at least,” she commented.

Santamaria understands repairs need to be done at the pool but asked if they could be postponed until the school year is over and swimmers have the opportunity to train for competitions. She said the club would accept not being able to start its new season right away at the beginning of September but would rather finish the current season in full so that training and competition objectives may be met. The Orca Swim Team is the only swimming club in the area.

“There’s not many options for us to go anywhere else if the pool is shut,” Santamaria said.

She added that it feels like pool services are being targeted over others.

“If this was the hockey arena, would it happen at all?” she remarked.

“The pool is very important as well as hockey as the many other services we do provide,” Mayor Robert Lefebvre responded.

Chief Administrative Officer Sam Cardarelli said that as a former water polo competitor at the national level, he understands the importance of training for competitions. He agreed with Santamaria that most such events take place in May, June, and through the summer.

Cardarelli apologized for the lack of communication between town administration and the Orca club. He said the new equipment will cost $500,000 and further study is needed to determine exactly how much money must be spent. Cardarelli said there are other issues with the sports complex infrastructure that include corrosion of beams and the whole building needs to be checked and repaired during a three-year period. He concluded that a report will be presented to council recommending what may be done to facilitate the repairs and closure while respecting the needs of the swimming clubs.  

Councillor Julie Séguin asked if accommodations will be made to respect all sports complex users and their various seasons and activities.

Cardarelli said contractors can work with user programming needs.

“The pool is not being closed to save $75,000. The pool needed repairs and structural issues that need to be looked at and in doing so we can save $75,000. But that’s not the purpose. We want the pool to function safely and properly for everyone,” said Councillor Tony Tsourounakis.

Cardarelli said the town wants to keep an open line of communication with everyone.

“I think we all understand that the work must be completed at some point in time,” Lefebvre said.

The mayor concluded the discussion by assuring Orca Swim Team that the town will do it’s very best to accommodate their needs.