As a latest development, following the North Bay Y Titans Swim Club’s appeal to Laurentian University, the university plans to provide a public update on the Jeno Tihanyi Pool’s condition on Feb. 28, coinciding with the upcoming board of governors meeting on Feb. 16.
The report states the university’s facilities department is collaborating with consultants to assess the costs of reopening the pool, with the next public update expected on Feb. 28. The board of governors meeting on Feb. 16 is anticipated to provide insights into the pool’s future. Despite the uncertainty, Henze urged careful consideration of the next steps, suggesting potential costs of more than $6 million for repairs.
As per a previous Pool & Spa Marketing report, Laurentian University’s pool, the Jeno Tihanyi Pool, has been out of service since the start of the pandemic in 2020, requiring substantial repairs. According to CBC News, the North Bay Y Titans Swim Club, among other groups, is urging the school’s board of governors to prioritize the pool’s restoration. Mike Blair, the club’s president, emphasized the broad impact on various users, including university athletes, local swim programs, and community members.
Also per the CBC report, the pool’s closure has forced teams such as Blair’s to travel long distances for training, incurring significant expenses. Dean Henze, head coach of the Sudbury Laurentian Swim Club, highlighted the challenges faced by smaller teams with limited resources, leading to the cancellation of swim seasons.
The report also says that in a community update on Jan. 31, the university acknowledged its financial constraints in covering the pool’s operational costs independently. Henze proposed that the City of Greater Sudbury contributes to the rehabilitation efforts, considering it a cost-effective alternative to building a new facility.
