David Crombie pleaded with councillors yesterday to join the Toronto District School Board and the province in finding a permanent solution to perennial brinksmanship over who will pay to maintain the city’s school pools.
The plug is to be pulled on 39 pools in June.
But the politicians on the community development and recreation committee voted 4-2 to stay out of the deep end. They asked instead that the parks and recreation general manager report back when there are recommendations that will not cost the city anything.
Crombie, who has been asked by the school board to recommend ways to save the pools, had urged city officials “to check historic baggage” at the door, emphasizing the role the city should play in providing recreational swimming.
Solutions can be found, including new sources of funding such as sponsorships or pool time rentals at lower fees, he said.
