Windsor resident raises staffing, safety concerns at city aquatic centre

A Windsor resident has raised safety concerns about the city’s aquatic centre. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell reports.

A Windsor resident is raising concerns about staffing levels and patron safety at the city-owned International Aquatic and Training Centre, claims the City of Windsor disputes, saying the facility remains safe and appropriately staffed.

Syx Langemann, a daily user of the upstairs fitness centre at the downtown facility, says a recently eliminated early-morning staff shift has resulted in reduced service and raised safety concerns for patrons, particularly seniors and those using the gym during quieter hours.

“At the very base level, we are getting less service at the centre than we were getting essentially three weeks ago,” Langemann said in an interview with CTV News.

“They’ve dropped a morning shift, and that service is no longer there, while fees have gone up.”

Langemann said the absence of a dedicated staff presence in the fitness area during early mornings means patrons must leave the gym and go downstairs to seek help if issues arise. He also raised concerns about emergency preparedness, noting the location of emergency equipment and phones outside the secured gym area.

“These situations are not hypothetical,” Langemann stated.

“Some of us working out there might be closer to heart attacks than others. And heart attacks don’t wait for your job in your facility to get done the stuff that should have been done in the first place.”

Langemann also alleged some patrons require closer supervision and said staff previously played a role in monitoring and de-escalating situations, a function he believes has been diminished since the staffing change.

The concerns were first raised publicly in a social media post late last week and discussed in recent days on AM800 radio.

In response, Downtown Ward 3 councillor Renaldo Agostino said he has not personally experienced the issues raised and maintains the facility remains safe.

“So far we’ve had zero incidents of problems at the aquatic centre,” Agostino told CTV News, adding he plans to attend the facility early Thursday morning to observe operations firsthand.

“I’m going to meet out there at 6 a.m. and see the concern for myself.”

Agostino acknowledged staffing hours can shift seasonally to reflect operational needs, describing it as a common business practice. He declined to discuss specific security measures publicly but said the city takes safety concerns seriously.

“I don’t want to talk about any security measures publicly,” he said.

“But I’ve read the email from the city, and it made sense. I think there’s still some concern, and the best thing to do is to go in and see for myself.”

In an email response to Langemann provided to CTV News, the City of Windsor said recent renovations to the fitness centre were intended to improve safety and oversight by enclosing the space and limiting access to active members.

The city said staffing levels and supervision have not been reduced, noting front reception staff monitor entry and that the fitness area is visible through security camera systems. Paladin Security remains onsite at all times, with its role expanded to include morning walkthroughs of the fitness centre.

Regarding concerns about disruptive behaviour, the city said staff and security are familiar with the individual referenced by Langemann, adding that while verbal outbursts have occurred, there have been no physical incidents, and the individual is escorted from the facility when necessary.

The city also said an additional automated external defibrillator and a landline phone will be installed inside the fitness centre this week, providing direct access to reception, security and emergency services.

Addressing staffing concerns, the city said recreation employees are cross trained to work multiple roles and that lifeguards may work reception shifts, but aquatic supervision is never reduced as a result. It added there are no plans to restore the previous morning staffing assignment.

Langemann said while he appreciates receiving a response, he remains concerned about what he sees as a decline in service.

“Nobody wanted to start an argument,” he said.

“I just want the same level of service that I had for the last year. I can see it changing, and so can other patrons.”

Officials encourage residents with concerns about municipal facilities to contact 311 or their local councillor.