COBDEN — A request for a municipal swimming program in the Westmeath area will be reviewed, along with the swim program proposed for Little Lakes near Beachburg.
The Whitewater Region Recreation and Culture Committee reviewed a letter at its March 2 meeting. The letter, from the Westmeath District Recreation Association, was asking if a municipal swim program could be held at Nangor Resort near Westmeath.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin questioned if that meant there would be two swim programs in the township.
“I’m not in favour of two spots,” he said.
If the program were in Westmeath, possibly a bus could go from Cobden to Beachburg to Westmeath, he suggested.
He also questioned if there would be a liability of operating the swim program on a private property.
It was noted that last year the swim program in Cobden was moved to Wilderness Tours due to the very poor water conditions of Muskrat Lake. While the township’s insurance provided liability coverage, each parent had to sign a waiver before their children were allowed to swim at Wilderness Tours, noted treasurer Marsha Hawthorne.
She noted the township does not make any money from the swim program.
“We don’t even break even,” she added.
Deputy-clerk Hope Dillabough said she is pursuing grant funding for the swim program.
Mayor Hal Johnson suggested before a decision is made, the committee see how much grant funding it receives for the swim program.
Coun. McLaughlin agreed with that, adding, that even for the swim program to be held at Little Lakes means work has to be done, including installing a washroom and change rooms.
Ms. Hawthorne said there is a question as to whether or not guests’ children will be allowed into the program at Nangor Resort if they have not paid.
Councillor Cathy Regier would be excited if a swim program could be offered at the other end of the municipality.
The problem is the township has struggled to get two lifeguards each year, which is the minimum requirement to host a swim program. How will it get four? she questioned.
Councillor Chris Olmstead agreed with Coun. Regier about holding the swim program in Westmeath.
“We do so much in this neck of the woods, we should look at the La Passe and Westmeath areas,” he said.
Councillor Dave Mackay said the Westmeath District Recreation Association has a great group of volunteers and if they set out to do something, you know it will be done well.
The committee agreed to table further discussion and have staff look into the costs of the swim program.
