The North Bay Y Titans Swim Club urgently appealed to Laurentian University to reopen the Jeno Tihanyi Olympic Gold Pool, the region’s sole 50-m (164-ft) pool, which has been closed since 2020.
Club president Mike Blair’s impassioned letter has gained attention on social media, even from Canadian Olympic swimmer Summer McIntosh, who shared it on her Instagram account.
According to a report by Sudbury.com, the Jeno Tihanyi Pool, crucial for training camps and events, has been dormant for four years, forcing athletes to travel long distances. The closure also deprives regional students of educational and competitive opportunities.
The report states that Laurentian University, financially stable post-insolvency, allocated $300,000 in its 2023-24 budget for investigating and repairing the pool. A repair options report is imminent, with evaluations and a community update scheduled for January and February 2024, respectively.
When asked for comment by Sudbury.com, Laurentian University remained silent on specific plans, citing ongoing board-level analysis, but explained it is aware of the plea by the swim club. While the swim club advocates for increased funding, Blair stresses exploring diverse sources, including public-private partnerships.
The report continues by saying local swim clubs, such as the Sudbury Laurentian Swim Club, thank the North Bay Y Titans for advocacy, underscoring the pool’s regional significance. They hope that as Laurentian finalizes its budgeting process, the community’s support will prompt swift action in reopening the facility and revitalizing northeastern Ontario’s competitive swimming landscape.
