MONTREAL - The City of Montreal and Plateau Mont-Royal's mayor are pointing the finger at each other over the closure of an 80-year-old pool on St. Laurent Blvd.
The Schubert Pool is set to close its doors January for one year to make up for a $2-million shortfall in the Plateau's budget.
"We're cash strapped," said Luc Ferrandez, the borough's mayor.
But the one-year closure would only save operating costs, and not the $300,000 per year it costs to maintain the facility.
""The only money that they would be saving is the small amount of $135,000 for the activities," explained Montreal executive committee chairman Michael Applebaum.
Ferrandez said he aims to reopen the pool in 2013, when the borough's finances are stabilized.
"We are hoping for a better financial situation related to the parking meter. We're working on a lot of different projects," he said.
Applebaum said Ferrandez has overestimated revenues from new Plateau parking meters, and that other boroughs have managed with tight budgets.
"Most of the boroughs have been able to manage their budgets, reduce their number of personnel and make tough choices," he said.
The Plateau mayor countered he has a shrinking budget, no money and no expenses left to cut.
"Zero in transportation, zero in parking, zero in taxis, zero in restaurants, zero in everything, no secretary, small offices," said Ferrandez.
Both local recreation associations agree that Projet Montreal and the city need to stop volleying the blame and find a way to keep the pool open.
"I'm angry and hurt and confused at how they can put in these kinds of Draconian cutbacks that are going to affect our neighbourhood children," said Terrence Regan, executive director of the Milton Park Recreation Association.
"(They need to) talk turkey, not shut our pools," said Lucia Kowalik, president of the Milton Park Citizens' committee.
