N.S. swimming community calls upon Acadia to reverse pool closure decision
The provincial swimming community is reeling as it grapples with the news that Acadia University is closing its pool and shutting down its varsity swim club.
On Feb. 10, the Wolfville-based university announced in a news release that its aging swimming pool would cost too much to repair and will close permanently on June 15.
“Surprised, I think, would be an understatement,” said Mark Thompson, the parent of a second-year Acadia business student and varsity swimmer.
“I would say shocked is more the reality,” Thompson continued. “Based on what we’ve learned in recent hours and days, this is a problem that the administration has known about for years… and as a result, now everything that we’re trying to do is reactionary.”
The university’s news release said the pending closure is due to the longstanding financial challenges associated with maintaining the pool facility.
“We know how much the pool means to our university and local community, and making this decision has been incredibly difficult,” Dr. Jeff Hennessy, the president and vice-chancellor of Acadia University, said in the news release.
“This will deeply impact many individuals and groups. After reviewing all options, we have had to face the hard reality that it is financially unfeasible to continue operating the facility.”
The pool, which was built in 1968, has operated at an annual deficit of $400,000 for several years. An engineering report in November 2024 confirmed the six-lane, 25-metre pool requires extensive repairs, estimated to be around $3 million, to continue operating.
EMOTIONAL CALLS HOME
Thompson’s son, who has been swimming since he was nine years old, chose to attend Acadia due to its quality swimming program, coach, and general atmosphere
Like other Acadia parents, Thompson found out Sunday afternoon, Feb. 9, when his son called. He said the student-athletes were advised that the pool was closing at the end of the season. The message came as students were preparing for mid-terms, and less than two weeks before the biggest swim competition of the year.
“The way in which it was transmitted to the students was appalling – that would be a polite way to say it,” said Thompson, of Oakville, Ont.
Thompson said the athletes dedicate 15 to 20 hours per week, on top of school, to represent their university.
“To be told you’re done, it’s as if you’ve broken a femur and you’ll never play your favourite sport again,” he said.
There are 52 varsity swimmers affected by the news.
Fellow parent Nicole Humble, who is an Acadia alumni, said it was heartbreaking to hear from her son that afternoon.
“Our kids take a lot of time and thought into deciding where they want to go and for our son, it was always going to be a university with a swimming pool. Just in the Atlantic provinces alone, that limited it to five schools. And then after that, he was looking for the program that he wanted,” Humble said.
“We weren’t the only parents that received emotional phone calls from their kids. I think it’s heartbreaking for all of us.”
Humble is experiencing deja’vu as she was on Acadia’s swim team in 1994 when the school announced the club was cancelled due to budget cuts. It was later revived.
Humble and Thompson are among the many parents who have banded together to advocate for the pool – and the varsity swim program – to carry on.
“As a parent, you want what’s best for your kid and we just keep saying, ‘let us handle this. We will advocate for you right now. You study and then next week, get yourself mentally ready for your competition and then you can process this and deal with it and advocate for yourself,’” she said.
A group of concerned parents launched Save Acadia Pool, a social media page on Facebook and Instagram, to help the students and community at large stay informed and lobby for action. The group also launched an online petition in hopes of saving the pool, which had nearly 4,000 signatures as of press time.
Thompson said they hope a short-term solution can be found while another pool can be brought online.
“The group is, at this point, saying can we at least have a conversation around some viable options,” Thompson said.
FAR-REACHING IMPACT
The decision by Acadia also came as a surprise to Swim Nova Scotia’s executive director Bette El-Hawary. She’s been responding to countless calls from concerned individuals.
“The loss of the facility will have a significant impact, and a long lasting one, on the swimming community not just in Wolfville but across the province,” El-Hawary said, noting people are devastated.
She said not having access to a swimming pool in Wolfville limits opportunities for a wide range of users – from varsity athletes to young children just learning to swim.
“Not having a swimming pool is simply detrimental to the community,” she said.
Outside of the varsity program, the pool is home to the Wolfville Tritons Swim Club, which has operated for more than 50 years, and Acadia’s S.M.I.L.E. (Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience) program, which offers opportunities for people with disabilities. Aqua-fit classes, swimming lessons and public swims are also held at the pool.
Given Nova Scotia’s proximity to the ocean and various bodies of water, El-Hawary said the closure will have a ripple effect.
“Not having opportunity to learn how to swim when we’re so close to so many water sources, whether it’s lakes or at the ocean, I think that it’s just terrible for the local community.”
Thompson said the Save Acadia Pool group realizes Acadia’s decision has wide-reaching ramifications and that’s why they’re engaging the community.
“This is a community-impacted decision. Varsity is a big part of it but… this is not about varsity. This is much bigger than varsity,” said Thompson.
CALLS FOR ACTION
Humble said the athletes have been working hard to balance academics and athletics, many pushing to be Academic All-Canadians.
She said they train 10 times a week, often practicing in the pool at 5:30 a.m. before going to classes for the day.
“These kids have worked hard and long in their sport for all their lives. It’s just heartbreaking as a parent to watch your kid go through something that you thought you had protected them from,” Humble said.
The Save Acadia Pool group and Swim Nova Scotia are calling on all stakeholders to work together to find an acceptable solution.
“I want to see Acadia at least bend a little and come to the table for discussion,” she said.
Thompson also hopes a stop-gap measure can be put in place so the swimmers can continue while a new facility is built.
The County of Kings and the towns of Wolfville and Kentville have been discussing building a 75,000-square-foot recreation centre for the past few years.
The current proposal involves a 39,000-square-foot aquatics facility as the anchor. It would include an eight-lane pool, leisure pool and therapy pool. Also included in the building would be a double gymnasium, a three-lane walking track, four multi-purpose rooms and public assembly and administration space.
ACADIA RESPONDS
In light of concerns from students, the university said its athletic department will make connections with other swimming programs where needed.
“Acadia will also ensure any scholarships and bursary offers remain available to them, whether they stay at Acadia or transfer to other programs,” an email on behalf of the school to the Valley Journal-Advertiser indicated.
As for the pool closure, the educational institute maintains the problems have been mounting for a decade and the community was aware.
“Acadia has warned its pool is nearing the end of its life for years. Reports pointing to the challenges related to the pool have been shared over the years, and the degrading condition of the pool this past year has also been communicated,” the email states.
As for the calls to keep the facility open or have a meeting to discuss a way forward, Acadia maintains the pool isn’t a viable option.
“The pool facility has significantly deteriorated, necessitating frequent closures due to leaks, maintenance issues, and water quality concerns. Meaningful repairs would require the closure of the pool, likely for an extended period of time,” the email said.
“Our focus is now on collaborating with municipalities and the province to develop a new aquatic, recreation, and health centre for the community.”
Did you know?
Acadia’s varsity swimmers will be competing at the Atlantic University Conference championship, which will be hosted by UNB from Feb. 21-23, in Saint John, N.B.
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