Kingston Kids are Sinking: More Swimming Lessons Now

Kingston Kids are Sinking: More Swimming Lessons Now

The Issue

In Kingston, we live beside a massive body of water, Lake Ontario. It is essential that we learn how to swim. Period. 

And yet, how many Kingstonians are struggling to access swimming lessons? I would say, anyone who tries: on March 23, 2022 the City of Kingston swim lesson program filled in less than one minute.

This is simply unacceptable. The City of Kingston needs to take action to address this issue. How is it possible that the City of Kingston only owns 1 indoor pool to service the aquatic education/recreation needs of over 130,000 people? It is clear that the City of Kingston has completely failed to plan for the needs of our population.

It is time for the City of Kingston to commit serious money and time to expanding aquatics infrastructure. We need more City-owned pools. We need those pools now. Yes, there is also a labour shortage in terms of life guards, instructors, etc. But we can't train the next generation of aquatics personnel, or maintain the training of the current cohort, if we don't have the pools for them to learn in. 

Please sign this petition to tell the City of Kingston that you are affected by the shortage of swimming lessons in our community. Tell the City of Kingston that you are unable to get swimming lessons for your family. Tell the City of Kingston to build more pools. "If you build it, we will swim!".

 

 

 

avatar of the starter
Cecilia BandlerPetition StarterKingston resident since 2004. Graduated from Queen's with an M.Sc. in biology in 2006 and a B.Ed. in 2009. Environmental Consultant. Mother of two kids, 2.5 and 4.5 years old, neither of whom know how to swim!
This petition had 735 supporters

The Issue

In Kingston, we live beside a massive body of water, Lake Ontario. It is essential that we learn how to swim. Period. 

And yet, how many Kingstonians are struggling to access swimming lessons? I would say, anyone who tries: on March 23, 2022 the City of Kingston swim lesson program filled in less than one minute.

This is simply unacceptable. The City of Kingston needs to take action to address this issue. How is it possible that the City of Kingston only owns 1 indoor pool to service the aquatic education/recreation needs of over 130,000 people? It is clear that the City of Kingston has completely failed to plan for the needs of our population.

It is time for the City of Kingston to commit serious money and time to expanding aquatics infrastructure. We need more City-owned pools. We need those pools now. Yes, there is also a labour shortage in terms of life guards, instructors, etc. But we can't train the next generation of aquatics personnel, or maintain the training of the current cohort, if we don't have the pools for them to learn in. 

Please sign this petition to tell the City of Kingston that you are affected by the shortage of swimming lessons in our community. Tell the City of Kingston that you are unable to get swimming lessons for your family. Tell the City of Kingston to build more pools. "If you build it, we will swim!".

 

 

 

avatar of the starter
Cecilia BandlerPetition StarterKingston resident since 2004. Graduated from Queen's with an M.Sc. in biology in 2006 and a B.Ed. in 2009. Environmental Consultant. Mother of two kids, 2.5 and 4.5 years old, neither of whom know how to swim!

The Decision Makers

Bryan Paterson
Bryan Paterson
Mayor, City of Kingston
Lacricia Turner
Lacricia Turner
Director, Recreation and Leisure Services, City of Kingston
Wendy Stephen
Wendy Stephen
Councillor, District 4, Lakeside

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Petition created on March 23, 2023