To claps and cheers of “Go Peter!” Mayor Peter Kelly splashed into the harbour waters at Black Rock Beach yesterday.
Like a president out for a jog, Kelly led a swim of about a dozen people to prove the water is clean and safe. His promised swim finally happened on the last day of the extended lifeguard season, but better late than never.
“It’s the last day before the kids go back to school, it’s a beautiful day and it’s going to hit 33 C and there’s no better place to be than in the cool harbour,” he told reporters after his dip.
While he hopes more people will go swimming at the two harbour beaches next summer, Kelly said it will take some time to build confidence.
“I hope today shows a sign of confidence, but I also hope they come down on their own and explore on their own that it’s a great place,” he said.
Danielle Lawler of Lower Sackville is still reluctant. She watched her father swim with the mayor yesterday.
“I guess since they’re all out there it can’t be that bad. Maybe in the future when more people have gone in it might help,” she said.
Julie Singer of Halifax said she has no problem with the water.
“I wouldn’t bring my niece and nephew here and let them swim if I thought there was a problem,” she said.
“I think a lot of people who are stuck in their ways won’t go in.”
