Last week, the University of Victoria (UVic) announced the closing of their McKinnon pool facility after over 50 years of operation.
In response, a resident has taken it upon themselves to create a petition on Change.org in hopes of saving the facility.
In the petition, they express their concerns regarding local accessibility for mental and physical well-being, which is impacted when these facilities shut down.
“Like many others in our community, swimming is more than an activity, it is a sanctuary, a place to unwind and invigorate ourselves,” it reads.
“This is not only a blow to our community services but also a significant reduction in the quality of life for many residents like me who rely on the pool’s facilities for health benefits.”
See also: ‘Costly to maintain’: UVIC to close decades old pool permanently this fall
In the initial release form UVic, they stated that it had become too expensive to maintain and has reached the end of its lifecycle, adding that it would be approximately $1.5 million for necessary upgrades.
They acknowledged how important it has been for the varsity teams, other campus members and the surrounding community, but the level of use wasn’t enough to justify the costly repairs.
However, the petition’s author believes it would continue to serve and benefit many, especially those who are at risk of heart disease, cancer, and type-2 diabetes and may not be able to access different facilities very easily.
“Loss of local amenities affects communities disparately, with the least advantaged suffering the most. Our pool is more than a place for leisure; it is a lifeline for many.”
At the time of this publication, the petition has gathered 531 signatures.
To read more about the petition and leave your own signature if this is something that stands out to you, you can do so, here.
