Lack of information stalled a vote that would have given the Glacier Bears swim team better access to the Canada Games pool for its practices during peak hours.
On Monday, city politicians deferred the issue until they had more information on how often the public lanes are being used and what days and times the club is requesting exclusive use of the pool.
“I’m not sure what the swim club really wants,” said councillor Dave Stockdale, chair of the Community Services Committee.
“(The team) says they want exclusive use of the pool, but does that mean between 4 and 6 p.m. every weekday?”
The city is encroaching on the swim team’s critical evening practice times by insisting that two lanes of the pool remain open to the public, said swim club president Pat Duncan at a council meeting in June.
“I can support administration’s desire to see two lanes available to the public, but also found that citizens in Whitehorse have a real high tolerance for the disruption of their schedule if it’s for children,” said councillor Doug Graham.
“This is especially true if these children are producing the kinds of results we’re seeing from the swim club.”
Last week, Glacier Bears swimmer Alexandra Gabor placed second in the freestyle competition, qualifying her for the world swim championships in Rome at the end of the month.
The canoe and kayak club have more exclusive use of the pool right now than the swim club, noted Graham.
Deal with the matter, Graham and Stockdale told city staffers.
“I really encourage the swim club and administration to work this out so it doesn’t have to come back here,” said Graham.
“This is not one of those decisions we really want to make, if you can tell.”
Contact Vivian Belik at
vivianb@yukon-news.com