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Public Survey Gathering Input Open Until June 15, 2025

Cranbrook, BC (February 20, 2025) – The City is set to pilot a change in operating hours at the Western Financial Place Aquatic Centre starting Monday, March 31, 2025, in an effort to increase operational efficiencies and maximize pool utilization. While this pilot program is in place, the City is also seeking public input through a survey to ensure our assessment include your insights and experiences as a valued patron.

As of March 31, 2025, the Aquatic Centre will be open at 8:00 a.m. and closed from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays as part of the pilot program.

“Our goal is to optimize our pool operations, while ensuring that the needs of our patrons and the community are being met while using our staff resources as efficiently as we can,” says Trevor Thors, Director of Recreation and Culture. “The decision to move forward with this pilot was made with care and consideration of current pool users and based on current trends and usage. This is why the community’s input is vital. As this is a pilot project, we are exploring all avenues to optimizing our operations for the public’s benefit.”

In the fall of 2024, the City completed a statistically valid citizen survey, which was designed to help inform Council as they moved forward with budget deliberations for 2025 and provide a clear understanding of public sentiment early in the process. One of the questions asked if the City were forced to reduce spending, which service or services could be reduced or eliminated. Thirteen percent of respondents suggested reducing recreational, cultural or music events. You can review the full final report here.

Public feedback is a critical part of the City’s evaluation of operations at the aquatic centre, and all our user groups and patrons across the community are invited to complete a short survey during the pilot period online @ https://forms.office.com/r/z0Ac2GjPeW. Paper copies are also available at the Aquatic Centre pool desk and at City Hall. The survey is open until June 15, 2025.

The City will be monitoring pool capacity, booking volume, patron utilization, revenue impacts, and public satisfaction throughout the pilot period. All of the data from the survey results and the City’s evaluation of operations will help guide the making of permanent changes to the aquatic centre operations, if required.