Image courtesy City of Mississauga

The City of Mississauga is investing in its outdoor pools, including a $4-million rehabilitation of the Erindale outdoor swimming pool complex.

Renovations and repairs to six of the seven public outdoor swimming pools in Mississauga, Ont., have started, which will see the facilities outfitted with new amenities to make them more energy-efficient and accessible for disabled swimmers.

As reported in PSM Online (July 9, 2009), a total of $24 million—half coming from the federal Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) and Ontario Recreation (Ontario REC) programs—will be used to help modernize the Erindale ($4 million), Port Credit ($6 million), Streetsville ($3 million), Applewood Heights ($3 million), Lewis Bradley ($4 million) and David Ramsey ($4 million) outdoor pools.

According to a report in the Toronto Star, four of the pools are being completely replaced, while two are being renovated. Family change rooms, men's and women's washrooms, private showers and sheltered outdoor recreational spaces will also be added to all facilities.

"We've embraced the family change rooms so people have an option beyond the traditional male and female change rooms," John Lohuis, Mississauga's parks and recreation director, told the Star. "Our user experience will cater more to children."

Although the timing is inconvenient for residents looking to cool off this summer, city officials said private user groups, learn-to-swim and day camp programs would not be affected by the closures.

All work must be completed by March 2011 or the city will risk losing the funding.