Ontario Community Newspapers

Whitby Free Press, 18 Nov 1981, p. 2

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PAGIbý t, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18& 1981, WHITBY FME PRESS Privately,st af asay no,,,,, Is.outdoor pool worth-$75,OOO to fix? Io it worth spending $75,000 to repair the out- door Kinsmen' Pool when It la only open for eight weeks a year? Admlttedly that wil be eight weeks a year for the next ten years, but, privately, niany senior Town of Whitby officiais are hesitant to recommend the expen- diture. Earlier this year the town spent $20,000 for repairs to the facility but they were oniy designed to keep it open for the season that 15 now over. In a letter to parks and recreation depart- ment director Wayne DeVeau, the engineer- ing consulting firm of Totten, Sims, Hubieki Associates Limited out- lined some of the work needed to put the pool - the oldest in Whitby, there being only two - in acceptable operating condition. While the consultants envisage no major repairs for the pool and deck additional Minis- try of Health approvals to keep it open because the existing "skimmer trough system" does not conform to current requirements. Howevcr, the consult- ant goes on to say that the existing mechanical equipment in use is in "poor condition" and the filter pressure system is undersized. In their report, *the consultants said, "We recommend complete replacement of the pool's filtration equip- ment. " They also suggest that other improvements be made to the building, to allow for proper control ares for pool staff and storage facilities. The plumbing fixtures in the shower areas and washrooms are "«some- what antiquated," but the consultants say that with continued main- tenance they can be used for several more years. They also recommend improvements to be made in fencing, park- ing and site grading in- cluding the installation of additional llghting of the pool ares for safety ressons. At its meeting Iast week, Whitby Town Council referred the matter to the 1982 bud- get discussions at which time staff are expected to make a more definite recommendation as to whether or not to make the repairs. However, staff said last week that with the exception of the Durham Family YM- C A's day camp program, current programs at the pool 1H E CORPORATION 0F STHETOWNOFWHITBY PROCLAMATION CARPET COLOUR RESTORATION SVSTEM CARPET PROTECTION & DEODORIZING - Big Brother Week AVAILABLE TAKE NOTICE that November l4th to November WE ALSO CLEAN FURNITURE & IDRAPERIES' 2lst, 1981, s hereby proclaimed as "Big Brother GUARNTED PESONL SEVIC BYWeek" ln and for the Town of Whitby. JOHN & BARB DE JONG Citlzens of Whltby are reminded of the significant contribution of the Big Brother Association of Oshawa-Whitby to our community. FOR FREE EST/MA TES CALL KLEEN-RITE SERVICES DATED:at Whitby, Ontario, this l8th day of 723m5491 Nvme,18.R .Atrly AFTER HOUAS CALL' 666-1367 MaornofW, ty can be accommodated at the Iroquois Park Complex. Recreation depart- ment offîcials say that it costs $5,000 a yesr to operate the pool, includ- ing staff salaries. According to DeVeau's report to council, there was a total attendance of 1,871 for swimming lessons as well as a total of 2,956 persons for recreational swimming in the after- hoon, 3,398 for day camp progranis and 400 in the evenings. The average daily at- tendance was 55 for af- ternoon recreational swimming, 17 in the eveming and 85 during the day camp program. Staff are also careful to take into account the feelings of .neighbour- hood residents in this issue. In bis report, DeVeau praised these people for conducting a cleaming and painting program eariier this year when it was proposed to close the pool. "These friends of the town shouid be highiy commended for their ef- forts in this preventa- tive maintenance pro- ject," he said. Although he has no criticisms of the Durham YMCA's opera- tion of the pool, DeVeau would prefer that the responsibility rest solely with bis depart- ment. "If the decision by council is to concur with the recommendations by the engineers, then the parks and recrea- tion department should be charged wlth the responsibility of the operation of the pool in- cluding ail aspects of programming and maintenance, " DeVesu said. Department officiais are reluctanz' to disclose what they will recom- mend to council until the budget discussions, however, if the financial considerations take pre- cedence in the^ decision it is likely that the facility will be closed. Ashe, Batten, Breaugh favor inquiry nto OHS Ontario Attorney- General Roy McMurtry is expected to make a decision this week as to whether or not his ministry will conduct an inquiry into the affairs of the Ontario Humane Society. Last week, MPP Michael Bresugh (NDP - Oshawa) wrote to Mc- Murtry to request that an inquiry be held because 0f questions raised not only by bran- ches of the society but by the Towns of Ajax and Whitby as well. In his letter, Breaugh said, "There is a bizarre and incoherent response by the society to queries about its activities. "There is a need for an immediate and ful inquiry into these alle- gations, " he continued. Other individuais and groups, including the Ontario Veterinary Society, have also made a similar request of the provincial government. Durham West MPP and Ontario Minister of Revenue George Ashe would also favor holding an inquiry into the society's affairs. "I think, personaliy, that it is in order," Ashe said adding that he had held a meeting with McMurtry last Friday morning to discuss the matter. "He'll be making a decision and making an announcement (this) week," lie said. Ashe said that because of the number of questions and con- cerns raised an inquiry should be held to resolve them. "SoI»e kind of review will be in order, " le said, "and, hopefully, it wiil show that nothing is wrong." However, Ashe ad- mitted that he has not naa a grest desl of in- volvement with the humane society. North Ward Coundiil- or Ross Batten, who is Whitby's representative on the P.A.W. ,(or Pickering, Ajax and Whitby animal control) committee also favors an inquiry. "There has been enough public input and concern raised that maybe there ia some- thing wrong." Batten said adding that if there is something amisa' it should be found and corrected not oniy for the sake of the tax- payers but for the society's sake as well. He is also of the opinion that the Ontario Huxnane Society should welcome an inquiry in an effort to clear its name. "They shouldn't be opposed to an inquiry."1 Batten also stresses- that he does not want to see a "witch-hunt" con- ducted. "Ail I want to do la clear up the matter of animal control in the municipalities of Whit- by, Ajax and Picker- ing, " he said. Since these issues have come into the public eye, society president Elizabeth Wolfe has maintained that there is nothing wrong. rEAY The easy way to find ley a buyr for Itemus you MA R E want to sWni à..a B68-35 CLASSIFIED AD CALLC8411i WHIBDY FREE PRES-' A fringe benefit of this' fact that hustlîng to hli keep me slim and trim. 1 feel great. 7job îs the elp you helps DON BOWER

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