In June 2007, the TDSB voted to close pools that do not house City of Toronto programs
unless funding was made available from the City or the Province.
At the end of February 2008, we received word that pools would be closing in June 2008
as City and Provincial funding for the pools had not been received.
To view the notice from the TDSB regarding pool closures Click on the following link :
http://www.tdsb.on.ca/about_us/media_room/Room.asp?show=TDSBnews&view=detailed&
enableNav=true&self=11395
The APA initiated a successful letter writing campaign - over 150 families wrote to express
their concerns.
A group was formed to work to save the pools. We decided to maximize our lobbying
power by uniting with other schools with pools in jeopardy. We searched out principals
and school council chairs from other schools and e-mailed a package with a letter to be
sent home to parents and a form letter to use to write Trustees, Councillors, Ministers and
Members of Parliament.
Our instructions and form letter can be found here:
www.allenbyparents.com/save_Pool.html
Led by our APA chair, Jessica Monk, a letter was prepared and signed by the various
School Council Chairs.
Notice came from TDSB listing which pools would be closed in June 2008 and June 2009.
Allenby's pool is on the June 2009 closure list as we need the pool to deliver the physical
education component of the curriculum.
On April 10th, 2008, at 8:30 am, a rally was held near Allenby between Castlefield and
St.Clements Avenues, on Avenue Road. There was chanting, buttons, signs and pool
attire. We were on the news!
In the evening, a rally was held at the TDSB board office. Jessica, true to her word, wore
a bathing suit as more than 30 people came from Allenby.
Two Allenby parents, Heidi Wilson and Nancy Abbey, gave a deputation at the evening
rally.
On April 15, 2008, Trustee Howard Goodman circulated a letter regarding the pools.
The Allenby pool group was instrumental in forming a city-wide pool group and is very
active. As well as working with the city-wide pool group, we are maintaining an Allenby
pool group. Focus is always on a co-operative approach to solving this crisis.
A website was created at www.letsmakewaves.ca
Our media coverage has been phenomenal. Jim Coyle wrote an article for the Toronto
Star voicing what an incredible political lobbying force the parents have been.
On April 16, 2008, the TDSB asked former Mayor David Crombie to meet with
representatives of the City of Toronto, the Province of Ontario, the Federal Government,
and the TDSB, to present a report dealing with how to provide long-term sustainable
funding for our pools. To read more about the TDSB's decision, click on the following link:
http://www.tdsb.on.ca/about_us/media_room/Room.asp?show=TDSBnews&view=detailed&
enableNav=true&self=11644
On April 30, 2008, John Campbell, Chair of the TDSB, met with parents including Heidi
Wilson, Nancy Abbey, and Eileen MacDonald, to discuss options.
On May 1, 2008, there was a rally at Queen's Park from 4:15 - 6:15 pm.
Speakers included Canadian actress Sonia Smits, Olympian swim coach and kindergarten
teacher Liz Warden, and Olympian and President of Swim Canada Dan Thompson.
Canadian children's performer Markus performed a Save the Pools song, sung to the tune
of They Built the Ship Titanic and lyrics by our own Jessica Monk.
On May 13, there was a meeting at Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute (located at 142
Chatsworth) from 7-9 pm.
Karen Stintz and Howard Goodman invited parents to discuss possible local solutions.
The TDSB granted an extension of a couple of months, so that no pools are to be
drained until the end of August, to give David Crombie a bit more time to find a funding
solution to save the pools. The Allenby pool will remain open for one more year, and
hopefully in that time we will find a way to save it, and all the other pools. However, once
they start closing the first ones in August, it will be hard to stop the flow. The issue is still
urgent. We encourage you to write AGAIN to your City Councillor (Karen Stintz for most
people: councillor_stintz@toronto.ca). We have prepared a letter for you to use if you
wish.
It is available on our website at http://www.allenbyparents.com/save_Pool.html.
Great news! The Ontario Ministry of Health is providing the funds necessary to keep all
the Toronto school pools open this year while the Toronto District School Board works to
find a more permanent solution. Our pool is still scheduled to close after the 2008-09
school year unless more funding becomes available, but this news is encouraging.
To get information on the city-wide Save the Pools campaign, visit www.letsmakewaves.ca
This page will be updated as new information becomes available.
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