The City has initiated a new Pool Allocation Model to ensure efficient use of pool facilities around the City.
An Aquatic Development Committee has been formed representing various user groups, including the EFCL, to oversee the implementation of the model.
On September 21 the EFCL arranged a meeting to discuss the new model and its impact on leagues historic times and pool facilities they are currently using.
City representative Dave Linman said the model will ensure a fair and equitable distribution of the available time considering the activity specific standard of play, needs of each activity and the city’s ability to provide them. Every rental group has the right to receive its fair share of the available space and time as well as an obligation to share to the facility operational costs. He said the model would increase the efficiency of booking through a centralized booking system. He also said the city is convinced that the booking system will work much better if the users are represented on an allocation committee, as opposed to the city trying to make all of the decisions.
Summary of the group discussion
Community Leagues representatives at the meeting said they appreciated the city’s efforts to make the pool allocation process more efficient, fair, and equitable. However, they noted that community swim is a recreational activity which gives community members an opportunity of getting together, knowing each other and enjoy swimming. It aims at building strong neighborhood relationship.
Leagues also mentioned their strong historic relationship with neighborhood recreation facilities. Due to the nature of demography the league serves, prime time seems to be the best time for community swims. Leagues have also commented on their financial contribution towards the development of the City’s recreational facilities. Many wanted to retain their swim time and facilities. Information regarding a card access program was shared and a number of leagues would like to look into this.
The city is now developing a pool allocation strategy for the leagues. There will be another community league meeting in the new year (probably January) to update leagues on the pool allocation process and to get additional feedback from the leagues. The EFCL will also be considering how leagues can be best represented on the Committee and will need feedback from the leagues on that issue.
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