YMCA closing pool due to high operating cost, jobs lost

Windsor's YMCA is shutting down its swimming pool.

That means one full time and 15 part time jobs will be cut at the facility.

Shaun Elliot is the CEO of the YMCA for western Ontario.

He says they cannot justify the expense of running the pool.

"We're losing about $398,000 per year, and with the number of pools in the area, including the new family aquatic complex, we're going to foresee greater losses," said Elliot. "But, it was losing money prior to opening the Family Aquatic Complex."

But, Elliot said the aquatic centre didn't help attendance.

"What we're seeing is a decline and we foresee it continuing to decline," he said.

Elliot said it's also a matter of costly renovations needed to keep the pool running, which would cost millions of dollars.

The last day of swimming is April 26.

The rest of the facility's programming in Windsor will continue.

Building a new facility

Elliot said the current YMCA facility on Victoria Ave. won't be sustainable for long and patrons have trouble finding parking in the area.

"We would like to build a new building. It will probably be in a different location," he said.

The new facility will include a new pool, but the plan is still in its early phases.