Lachine residents push back after borough scraps pool project

Lachine residents are fighting back to keep a pool project alive, saying the borough's new administration abandoned it.

Residents in Lachine are fighting to keep a pool project alive, saying the borough’s new administration has abandoned it.

“It makes me feel […] so deceived,” said Valerie Leger.

Planned for Lac Saint-Louis in Rene-Levesque Park, the designated swim zone would have been enclosed by four docks, with accessible washrooms and lifeguards on duty.

The project was launched by Projet Montreal, the previous administration.

In January, Quebec’s Ministry of Environment finally authorized it to move forward. But Leger says the new administration, Ensemble Montreal, has no plans to build the open-water pool.

“They are telling us that it’s for financial reasons, that they want to have a sports complex,” she said.

The price tag of the pool is $500,000. Leger argues that the two projects serve completely different needs and should not be compared.

Richard Cabana, a longtime Lachine resident and member of the local rowing club, says people do swim in the area during summer, but it can be dangerous.

“The current is extremely strong. If you’re not familiar with the area or if you’re too young, the current can take you away very quickly,” he said.

Leger says the pool would have given everyone safe access to the water, despite their economic backgrounds.

“Their chalet is here. This is their opportunity to access nature.”

The environmental permit issued by the province expires in two years.

Residents have launched a Facebook page calling to save the project, which has already drawn more than 1,000 members.

“I think it’s a movement that will not go away,” said Leger.

The Lachine borough was not available for comment.