Montreal's Waterfront: A Splash of Opportunity
Montreal, a city surrounded by water, is missing out on a golden opportunity to enhance its waterfront and provide residents with a unique swimming experience. The concept of an open-water swimming pool is not new, with cities like Antwerp, Zurich, and Paris already embracing this idea. What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential for Montreal to create a safe and accessible swimming spot, especially in the face of limited public water access.
The city's short summers and the need for more swimming opportunities are pressing issues. While Montreal has outdoor pools and a few beaches, they are not enough to cater to the public's desire for water activities. The Clock Tower "beach" and Plage de l’Est are examples of half-hearted attempts, but they lack the essential swimming conditions. The Lachine waterfront, with its clean waters and ideal location, presents a perfect opportunity to address this.
The proposed open-water pool in René-Lévesque Park faced challenges due to the Ensemble Montréal administration's decision to halt the project. The $500,000 price tag was deemed too expensive by Lachine borough mayor Julie-Pascale Provost, despite the potential for public use and the presence of ousted boaters. However, the recent ruling by Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada to rule out re-establishing the marina for a more costly $55 million project raises questions.
In my opinion, the $500,000 investment in decking and rope lanes is a wise choice. It would provide a safe and accessible swimming area, addressing the city's need for more public water access. The waters off René-Lévesque Park are clean and sheltered, making it an ideal spot for swimmers of all abilities. The presence of lifeguards and roped-off lanes would further enhance safety.
Fondation Rivières, an organization promoting public access to waterways, identified 57 suitable swimming sites in Montreal, including Lachine. The organization's Grand Splash events in Lachine showcase the potential for these locations to become permanent swimming areas. Montreal has the opportunity to catch up with cities like New York, which has been working on the Plus Pool for over a decade, and transform its waterfront into a popular destination.
The mayors of Montreal and Lachine should take the plunge and invest in this project before the environmental permit window closes. With the hard work already done and the modest price tag, the open-water pool could become a reality, providing a much-needed swimming experience for Montrealers and visitors alike. Summer is short, and the weather is hot, so the time to act is now.
This article highlights the potential for Montreal to create a unique and beneficial public space, and it is a call to action for the city's leaders to embrace this opportunity.
