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3/31/2009
The mayor has waded into the Queen E Pool debate, and isn't shy about suggesting that maybe the project shouldn't go ahead. The fuss is over the unisex change room with its two dozen stalls.
"I don't seem to have any problem with this," says Mayor Stephen Mandel.
"It might give people greater security because there'll be more people in it. It's not like you'll be changing in the open, it's a change room. I think this is not that bad of a program and from my point of view I don't see why they should have to change it.
Tenders for the $5.1 million outdoor pool go out next week. Today was the deadline given to the Queen E Pool Society to fund raise. Now that they're raising a stink about the change room situation, the mayor wonders how much say in the design.
"We can't have community groups, even though we know they're really interested in having a plan, we're appreciate them giving the money, but the roll shouldn't be for them to dictate what we have there."
"I think the challenge for me will be coming up with more money," says Councillor Kim Krushell who is on community services committee. "I just don't see how we're going to do that."
As for scrapping the whole project Krushell says "I'm prepared to look at different options but what I'm not prepared to do is cough up with a lot more cash."
The Queen E Pool Society, and the city's administration are due to meet later in the week to sort through their differences.
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