This week, Néomédia received a letter highlighting several issues encountered at Ville de L'Île-Perrot's new aquatic complex. The local resident raised a number of points for improvement, including the lack of space for visitors, the priority given to baseball over the pool, and so on.

The lady pointed out that the diving boards were not suitable for competition, that parking was insufficient and not close enough, and that the floor in the beach section of the pool was extremely slippery.

Posters were put up near the pool to inform the public of the situation. "The pool manager (SODEM) quickly took on board comments from bathers about the slippery beach and shared them with the city. Warnings were immediately posted and the various stakeholders are continuing to assess the situation to correct it as best they can," Neomedia was told.

The citizen also suggested that at least two accidents involving swimmers and requiring paramedic intervention had been reported. These incidents were reportedly caused by the absence of safety ropes.

When questioned on the subject, the Ville de L'Île-Perrot stated: "The recent accidents occurred outside public opening hours. Users benefiting from these reserved hours must secure their activities to the aquatic equipment in place in order to ensure the safety of bathers."

As for the springboard, it has still not been installed. However, the city confirms that it will be installed in the next few weeks. "As for the starting blocks, they have been designed in line with professional recommendations and meet competition standards". 

CAVIP speaks out

For her part, Mireille Fink, spokesperson for the Club aquatique de Ville de L'Île-Perrot (CAVIP), was keen to qualify these comments. "The pool is functional, but not completely finished in some respects," she says.

"It's certain that everyone wanted to have a pool for the summer," she adds. "You have to bear in mind that SODEM hires its lifeguards and doesn't pay the lifeguard costs for CAVIP. In the past, these costs were paid by the city because the lifeguards were employed by the city. We have adjusted to this reality by rectifying our registration fees."

"Anti-wave cables were not provided; we went and got used cables from the old pool," she continues. Sometimes you can't swim because of the baseball games going on, and the insufficient height of the safety nets. We gave the city a lot of ideas, but not all of them were implemented."

Another aspect deplored by the CAVIP is the lack of a stage within the complex itself. Spectators who come to cheer on the swimmers during competitions will have to do so from the other side of the fence. 

"By being located on the other side of the fence, and not inside the complex, the large bleachers mean that the capacity of the pools (250 people) is not reduced, and more people can be safely accommodated," explained the city.

Ms. Fink points out: "Before, citizens of the four towns on Île Perrot could go swimming for free, but now it's just Ville de L'Île-Perrot residents. Personally, I find the cost high for a family: $10 per adult and $7 for the youngest. With four people, that's a lot to pay for a visit."

Baseball at the expense of bathers?

Considering the closures due to baseball games, the City maintains that "Out of more than 400 hours of operation. Only one pool was closed for 8 hours in order to balance the two activities".

At present, the complex remains open during baseball activities, which are redesigned to ensure that participants do not hit any balls while the complex is open. "The city is working with professionals to find the most appropriate solution to allow the two uses to coexist fully, while respecting the safety of all," City adds. 

The municipal administration adds that the aquatic complex is open from Monday to Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and is sometimes extended in hot weather. 

No nearby parking

According to the city, parking is sufficient: "Parc Michel-Martin has a large parking lot with 195 spaces, and is close to several alternative parking areas: Parc des Générations, the parking lot at the corner of 7th Avenue and boulevard Perrot, and the streets surrounding the park."

Finally, according to Ville de L'Île-Perrot, every effort is made to provide the best user experience at the aquatic complex.

"All those involved, including the pool manager, make the necessary adjustments as and when required, and correct deficiencies as they are reported. The complex can count on a qualified team of lifeguards who report to the pool manager.

"According to protocol, the manager immediately informs the city of any accidents requiring medical intervention, and the municipal administration always offers its support where necessary. User safety remains paramount, and any issues can be communicated to the pool manager, SODEM, by telephone at 514 453-3600 or verbally to on-site representatives. 

According to information understood by Néomédia, the aquatic complex is at its early stages and the City, like the manager, like CAVIP, is adjusting day by day and event by event to try to come up with a project that can accommodate the majority of citizens. Further improvements will no doubt be made over the course of the summer.