2025-08-05 21:54

Hi Everyone,

Earlier today, Sylvia and I had a productive meeting with Dave Lapointe, Director - Culture, Sports, Recreation and Social Development for the city of Westmount.

Dave agreed there is no reason not to have more than one lane rope during adult swim, and will be instructing the lifeguards to make more lanes available as needed.

As for offering more than one lane during general swim, it is unlikely the current situation will change before the end of this swim season. Much as we tried to explain the rationale for needing at least two lanes during general swims, the pool management disagreed with our position.

Hoping everyone enjoys the rest of the outdoor swim season!

2025-07-31 11:55

Hi again,

On July 17, I received an email from city hall confirming the decision to remove all but 1 lane rope during general and adult swims was made by "Dave Lapointe, Director of Culture, Sports, Recreation & Social Development, along with Andrew Maislin, Division Head, Operations & Sports Facilities".

On July 21, I sent an email to Andrew and Dave expressing the various concerns raised in the petition and requesting a meeting to discuss a collaborative approach in resolving the current situation. Andrew replied, advising Dave was on vacation until July 28.

On July 29, I sent a reminder email to both Andrew and Dave. As of this date, I still haven't received a response from anyone.

2025-07-14 18:11

Hello All,

I have received the City's response confirming their position with respect to our request for the reinstatement of swim lanes during General and Adult swim times. Considering the fact our tax dollars pay for the pool, and we elect a mayor and city council, it is most disappointing to think taxpayers have no say in how the pool is managed and the city administration has no interest in the opinions of its voters.

The text of the email I received today is as follows:

From: Dufour, Annique [mailto:annique.dufour@westmount.org]
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2025 4:34 PM
To: Claire
Subject: RE: Availability of Swim Lanes During General Swim

Good Afternoon Mrs. Panet-Raymond,

Please be assured that the answer that was provided at the July 7, 2025, council meeting was the official answer from the city administration.

Last season there were two lanes during general swim, but it was done without the administration’s approval, unfortunately. It has since been corrected down to one lane.

The reason that the one lane remains is that the guards use it for the numerous swim tests that are required to be done for day camps or groups visiting the pool. It does not make sense to add it and remove it throughout the day, so it has been left it in place. As a result, when not being used by/for swim tests, the general public can use it. This is in addition to the numerous hours dedicated to lap swim at various times of the day.

Each of the activities offered, Adult Swim, Lap Swim, Senior Swim, Swimming Lessons, Swimming Club are fully dedicated pool activities that do not share with other activities. For this reason , the general swim is open for all to swim freely.

Thank you,

Meilleures Salutations / Best regards,

Annique Dufour
Adjointe exécutive / Executive Assistant
Cabinet de la mairesse / Mayor’s Office

4333 rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Westmount, Québec H3Z 1E2
(514) 989-5200 ext: 5314

2025-07-08 19:25

Sylvia Reiter and I presented the petition to Mayor Christina Smith and the councillors at last night's (July 7) council meeting. Anyone interested in hearing exactly what was said can view the presentation on the City's YouTube channel at the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD0lhD6-YVU.

Council appeared to be unaware of the situation. Mayor Smith responded to our request by saying she will read the petition, look into the situation, and discuss with the administration; and will thereafter follow up with an email.

Keeping in mind that Council has more than just swim lanes to deal with, we have no idea how long it will take before a decision is rendered pursuant to our request. Accordingly, I have extended the petition deadline until July 31, 2025 in case there are swimmers who were unable to express their concerns prior to the July 7 council meeting.

Hopefully, the lane dilemma will be resolved quickly!

Regards,

2025-07-08 10:58

End date to allow more people to sign, who were unable to before.


New deadline: 31.07.2025
Signatures at the time of the change: 66

2025-07-07 17:29

Extended deadline to accommodate other interested petitioners.


New deadline: 11.07.2025
Signatures at the time of the change: 64

2025-07-07 13:12

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for supporting the Save Our Swim Lanes petition and for providing insightful comments.

As of 10:30 this morning, we had received 64 signatures and approximately 36 comments. I have sent the petition and comments to Mayor Christina Smith and to Matt Aronson (Councillor for my district), and requested a constructive discussion of the lane dilemma at tonight's Council meeting.

Anyone interested in attending the meeting being held at 7:00 p.m. this evening can do so in person at Council Chamber at City Hall (4333 Sherbrooke Street West) or through the City's YouTube channel at the following link: www.youtube.com/channel/UC7ttwfZrkkf9qdJq_widIFg

Hopefully a mutually satisfactory solution will be found, and we can all return to enjoying the pool without angst and frustration!!

2025-07-06 13:50

Petition will be sent to City of Westmount July 7.


New deadline: 08.07.2025
Signatures at the time of the change: 50

2025-07-06 13:19

Thank you for signing the petition! We now have 49 signatures, together with some truly remarkable and well-written comments.

I will be submitting the petition to the City of Westmount before noon on Monday, July 7th. I will also submit a question requesting the reinstatement of swim lanes to the City (Monday before noon) to be addressed at the upcoming Council Meeting being held tomorrow evening.

Here is the link for anyone interested:
westmount.org/en/city/municipal-life/council-meetings

2025-07-06 13:03

Petition will be sent to City of Westmount July 7.


New deadline: 09.07.2025
Signatures at the time of the change: 49