Burlington's City Council should prioritize their duty to local residents: advocating for the people of Burlington - not special interest groups from beyond the city limits.
In the heart of Burlington, Ontario, a long-standing swimming club, the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD), is facing an uncertain future. The club, which has been operating for 40 years, has seen a significant drop in membership due to the loss of pool space.
The pool space previously used by BAD has been allocated to an organisation that operates in multiple locations, including Hamilton, Waterdown, Dundas, Ancaster, and Stoney Creek. This decision, made by the city's procurement department, has left the Devilrays scrambling to find alternative swimming facilities.
The club's president has been vocal about the issue, but has reportedly been 'muzzled,' according to sources close to the club. The president has been trying to pressure City Council to reverse the decision, but so far, the council has remained silent on the matter. Mayor Meed Ward and Councillors Galbraith, Kearns, Nisan, Stolte, Sharman, and Bentivegna have not publicly commented on the issue of swimming pool space allocation.
However, Councillor Kearns has announced that she will ask Council to conduct an audit of the procedure followed in the allocation of swimming pool space. The audit, if it takes place, could provide insights into the decision-making process behind the allocation of pool space.
The allocation of swimming pool capacity in the city is causing problems for the residents, with the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays not being the only club affected. The citizens of Burlington need to express their concerns to Council and urge them to fulfill their duty of representing the needs and wishes of its citizens.
The city council is currently focusing on issues that affect residents who Live, Play, and Work in Burlington. It remains to be seen whether the council will prioritise the concerns of the swimming clubs and their members, or whether they will continue to argue that Council has no business interfering in procurement matters.
The event that was expected to take place in September has been postponed to October, but there is no guarantee that it will occur. The future of the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays hangs in the balance, and the club could be close to ending its existence due to the loss of pool space.
This article was published on September 17, 2025, in Burlington, ON. The ongoing situation serves as a reminder of the importance of community organisations and the need for city councils to consider the impact of their decisions on the lives of their constituents.
