MONTREAL - Those wanting to hit the Westmount pool this summer will have to splash elsewhere, while skaters will be missing water of the frozen variety come the fall.
The city's pool and arena are being replaced in an audacious plan which will give rise to a larger pool, to open in the summer of 2013, and two large underground hockey rinks to open the next year.
Westmount Mayor Peter Trent's $38-million plan was approved by council Monday evening. The money will buy two new rinks, a larger pool, an extra acre of green space and refurbished tennis courts.
Opponents to the plan have cited the cost and inconvenience as well as the idea that residents would be better served by an indoor pool rather than an extra skating rink.
They include Architect David Ludmer, who favour maintaining the rink and simply building an other one elsewhere.
"A second arena could have been built on another location and therefore not be as intensive on Westmount park which is both the front and back yard for many people," said Ludmer.
"I think this is a travesty," said Ludmer following the vote. "They're basically going to be giving us a very expensive present that we're going to be paying for many, many years into the future."
But for those behind the plan, it was a night to celebrate.
"I'm glad we got here at last," said Patrick Martin who has a major role in the project as member of the Recreation Centre Committee.
Martin argued that the old rink was simply not up to scratch. "It was flimsily put together and its very old, the maintenance costs were getting very high and as for the pool its 55 or so years old. Its got leaks and needs constant repair repair."
Another resident agreed that the newer facility will be more efficient.
"Sustainability is very important and as we become energy constrained in the future the running cost of these facilities becomes higher and higher," said Westmount resident Paul Marriott.
Mayor Peter Trent defended the project Monday by pointing to a study that indicates that 83 percent of Westmounters approve of the project, which will cost them about $200 more in taxes per year."Seventeen percent of Westmounters were against the project and that 17 percent have been extremely vocal but as mayor I can't listen just to them," said Trent.
The city has been working on making arrangements to deal with the inconvenience of the closures.
The city has purchased time at the indoor pool at the YMCA on Sherbrooke, where all the usual swimming programs and lessons will be held, while competitive swimming will be temporarily transferred to Hampstead.
The Recreation Department office will be moved to another city office elsewhere in Westmount while various other activities, such as summer camp, Lacrosse, Soccer, Baseball, T-Ball and Rugby will be unaffected.
The Teen Centre program will be put on hold for the duration of the construction however.
The exact plan for dealing with the rink closure has yet to be finalized.
It's possible that the city could rent a cooling pad to create a temporary ice surface on the nearby park next fall or have games scheduled on the road until the rink is ready, according to City rep Brigitte Stock.
CTV Montreal met several residents who expressed excitement about the upcoming new facilities.
"I think the addition to our tax bill annually is really very negligible in terms of our entire tax burden and I think the benefit is immeasurable," said Ingrid Kovitch-Dannenbaum a mother of a young hockey player.
Another suggested that she can't wait to hit the new ice.
"I am beyond elated we've been waiting for this for technically two years but really about 35," said Karen Anderson.
About $12 million of the $38 million cost is expected to be paid by Westmount taxpayers, with $5 million coming from donations and $20 million from the federal and provincial governments.
Unlike in many Montreal recreational facilities, Westmount refuses to allow non-residents to the facilities on its territory, so those who don't live in the area will have to pay the approximately $4 access fee to use the new rink or pool.
