Calgary summer camps in limbo amid water crisis

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As summer day camps gear up for a busy season in Calgary, the city’s water crisis looms over those hoping swimming will be an option for their kids.

From day camp programs run by the City of Calgary to swim lessons and camps run at other facilities, many are hoping water service will be back to normal in time to avoid cancellations or program modifications.

Over the last two weeks, the Calgary Outdoor Swimming Pool Association (COSPA) has had to cancel over 200 lessons, said executive director Riley Harper.

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Run as a non-profit organization with ties to the City of Calgary, Harper says COSPA will not be operating camps during the water crisis.

“We are, like all Calgarians, looking forward to when the City’s able to complete construction,” Harper said. “A lot of these pools are really hidden gems in their communities and we’re really excited to open them up and have a fantastic summer.”

City crews have finished work on the initial June 5 feeder water main that burst in Montgomery and have moved on to another five sections of the pipe in need of repair — as of Tuesday, city officials expect the return of full water service will take three to five weeks.

“Our pools will remain closed, our lessons that are being impacted, those are canceled and we’re kind of going on a week-by-week basis along with everyone else,” Harper said.

Some day camps or programs run by community associations may choose to operate with modifications, but Harper said “they would be the experts on their programs”.

Youth summer camps are still a go at the University of Calgary, for those that have a swimming component there will be “fun alternative activities” in the event pool use is not an option, read an emailed statement from a U of C spokesperson Monday.

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“UCalgary will work to ensure the summer camps continue, and our campers have a positive experience,” said the U of C spokesperson.

The activities and games offered will “align with the camp theme the summer campers are participating in,” they said.

While City of Calgary aquatic & fitness facilities and leisure centres are open, their pools, water parks and showers are closed at all locations. Non-water-based registered and drop-in programs are still running.

“The teams that are working on understanding how our recreation facilities will operate over the next few weeks are actively looking at the messaging,” said Gondek on Monday.

She went on to advise any Calgarians registered for swim lessons and other water activities to check the City’s website frequently.

“We will have updates as they become available on what’s going forward and what might need to be paused for a short while,” Gondek said.

YMCA Calgary has cancelled all swim lessons and aquatic fitness classes for the remainder of its spring season (through to June 23).

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“At this time we hope to provide all swim programs and lessons in July, as planned. We continue to work with our Municipal partners on methods to limit water usage, and ensure any decision does not impact the shortage across the city,” read a YMCA Calgary alert page on Tuesday. The organization will provide an update about July 2 lessons on June 27.

Summer day camps will continue as planned according to the alert page. “Swim and Skate camps will continue, with additional dryland activities until we are able to provide access to pools and arenas,” it said.

Harper said that the eight COSPA facilities were supposed to open for the public over the Father’s Day weekend, but that date has passed and they’re still not sure when pools will be up and running.

Effects of the feeder main break have been felt throughout Calgary and Harper said the impact is quite “dramatic” for their organization.

“We have around 20 lifeguards at each facility… so we’re looking for any kind of news that we can open,” he said.

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