The City of Toronto is extending dates at 10 outdoor pools for up to three additional weeks, starting Monday, September 4 until Sunday, September 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 7 p.m. on weekends. Splash and spray pads will remain operational until Sunday, September 17.
Like other North American cities, Toronto is experiencing higher than normal temperatures well into September and extending pool dates is one of the ways the City is taking action to adapt to the effects of climate change and provide relief to Toronto residents.
It’s a ☀️ 𝙨𝙪𝙣-sational ☀️ announcement: 10 city-operated outdoor pools will stay open until Sept 24!
Pools normally shut down after Labour Day despite good weather and a need to cool off. By extending the operating hours, families will be able to enjoy the pool on warm days! pic.twitter.com/uMfhi6zkQk
— Mayor Olivia Chow (@MayorOliviaChow) August 25, 2023
The 10 outdoor pools that will be extended for operation this September include:
• Alex Duff Memorial Pool – 779 Crawford St.
• Heron Park Community Centre – 292 Manse Rd.
• Kiwanis Outdoor Pool – 375 Cedarvale Ave.
• Leaside Outdoor Pool – 5 Leaside Park Dr.
• Ledbury Park Outdoor Pool – 160 Ledbury St.
• McGregor Park Community Centre – 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.
• Monarch Park Outdoor Pool – 115 Felstead Ave.
• Pine Point Park Outdoor Pool – 15 Grierson Rd.
• Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool – 1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
• Wedgewood Park Outdoor Pool – 15 Swan Ave.
Leisure swim will be available at all 10 locations and lane swim will be available at select locations. Up-to-date information on extended outdoor pool hours and locations, along with splash and spray pads, is available by calling 311 or visiting the City’s Swimming & Water Play webpage: www.Toronto.ca/Swim.
The 10 outdoor pools have sufficient lighting for evening programming (until 7 p.m.), as well as staff available to work past Labour Day.
The City’s more than 140 splash and spray pads – which have been open across Toronto since May 20 – will continue to operate until Sunday, September 17. Splash pads operate daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and are activated with push-button features. Caregivers are reminded to supervise children as these are unsupervised water-play areas.
City-run outdoor pools typically close over the Labour Day weekend, in part because most aquatic recreation workers return to school in September and are no longer available to be scheduled on weekdays during school hours. Shorter periods of daylight in September also contribute to decisions around closing most outdoor pools on Labour Day.
Annually, the City opens up to 10 outdoor pools in mid-June and the remaining 48 pools in late June around the time elementary and high schools let out – and when most part-time aquatics recreation staff become available.
Outdoor pool seasons were previously extended in 2020 and 2021 due to forecasted hot weather in September and delayed openings of outdoor pools due to the pandemic.
During the summer season, from May 15 to September 30, the City activates its Heat Relief Strategy to ensure that residents – especially those particularly vulnerable to the heat – have access to cool spaces. This year, the City once again has activated its Heat Relief Network, an approach that supports an all-summer response to heat to better help residents stay safe and maximize City and community resources.
The Heat Relief Network comprises more than 550 locations throughout the city, including libraries, community centres, civic centres, drop-ins and several private and non-profit organizations, including some shopping malls and YMCA locations. The network also includes shelters and 24-hour respite centres that are available to individuals experiencing homelessness. An interactive map on the City’s Cool Spaces Near You webpage is available to help those looking to cool off locate a Heat Relief Network location near them: www.toronto.ca/coolspaces.
Media requests to film pools can be accommodated at the Alex Duff Memorial Pool and the McGregor Park and Monarch Park outdoor pools. These locations allow media to film without the need to call in advance. Media access will be allowed at these locations only and media must follow the instructions of staff on site.
Quotes:
“We love our neighbourhood pools and we want to make the most out of summers in the city. Our pools are important spaces for families to keep enjoying the summer through those warm September days. As we feel the heat for longer than before, extending outdoor pool operations will help many stay cool and healthy.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“With the heat expected to extend later into September, we have taken action to ensure some City outdoor pools are available to help residents stay cool and enjoy the weather.”
– Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
“Pools are one of the many parks and recreation services available to residents across the city. They are well used and well loved by Torontonians. This year, you can keep swimming at your favourite outdoor pools with extended dates, and indoor pools will continue to be available as the weather gets colder.”
– Councillor Alejandra Bravo (Davenport), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee
SOURCE: City of Toronto
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