The Ed Newland Pool has officially held its grand opening after being closed for over a year due to renovations.
The community was invited out for a free swim to enjoy to the newly updated pool that has served the Preston community for 90 years.
“It's such a beautiful day and we're so excited to see the pool being used,” said Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett.
Liggett and a few of her fellow councillors hit the pool to soak up the sun and take in the features of the newly constructed pool.
Councillor for Ward 4, Corey Kimpson, grew up going to the Ed Newland Pool learning how to swim at the Preston swimming spot.
"I think it's cool that I went here all the time as a kid and now I can take my kids here for swimming lessons; it's all full circle," added Kimpson.
Despite a rainy start to the day, the sun came out and children flocked to the pool to cool off and have some fun.
Across the street from the grand opening were some local children selling cookies and lemonade to those taking advantage of the free swim day.
"I've made almost $20 so far," said one young member of the enterprising VanDyk family. "We've got fresh cookies and everyone has been so nice!"
The family was serving up freshly baked cookies and cold refreshments before taking off and heading into the pool themselves.
Living across the street and having a pass to go swimming almost anytime, they average going to the pool nearly three times a day.
"This is exactly what we need in the city, and I want more," said Liggett. "Soon there will be nothing like this in west Galt."
The mayor is calling for more of these outdoor pools to open, including bringing back the pool at Soper Park and trying to prevent the George Hancock pool from shutting down.
"This is supposed to be the last year of it being open," said Liggett. "There is a stream under the building on the property and the walls are starting to crack."
If the west Galt pool closes, the only outdoor pool in the city will be Ed Newland in Preston.
The city owns the property the Hancock pool sits on and Councillor Sheri Roberts, Liggett and Kimpson all talk about ways they could save it. Demolishing the old building and constructing a new one could prevent its closure, adds Liggett.
Roberts notes they could reach out to the province and ask for funding to pay for any updates the pool may need and keep costs down for the city.
According to the mayor, teaching children and adults to swim is one of the most important aspects of a city pool and the more Cambridge can have, the better.
"There was something that came out of Quebec that 30 per cent of all drowning deaths were from children that didn't know how to swim," she said. "This is something that we can do that will really help people."
The new $1.2 million additions to the Ed Newland Pool included an accessible ramp, new deck and pool liner as well as a larger footprint. A slide, climbing wall and water features are still to be incorporated.
Roberts is happy to see any project include accessibility from the get-go and looks forward to incorporating these features into other city projects.
The City of Cambridge also received a $376,400 grant through the Ontario Trillium Foundation for the renovation.
“The City of Cambridge is most deserving of this Trillium grant as it strives to offer residents superior recreational facilities,” said Brian Riddell, MPP for Cambridge. “The grand re-opening of the Ed Newland Pool has been eagerly anticipated by its regular guests, and I’m confident the improvements made will attract new swimming enthusiasts from across the community.”
More information about the pool and its operating hours can be found on the city's website.
