The scorching temperatures experienced this past summer in Calgary have benefited many of the city’s outdoor pools, as the hot and sunny weather brought masses to its seven aquatic facilities, some of which were in danger of closing due to poor attendance.
According to a report in the Calgary Herald, the South Calgary pool, one of three aquatic facilities that lost money last summer, has turned a profit this year. During one weekend in August, up to 300 people passed through the facility on both days.
“Last year was abysmal, and we can blame it largely on the weather, but this year our attendance has gone way up,” Marc Doll, president of the South Calgary Community Association and operators of the pool, said in the report. “In addition to the great weather, the community has re-embraced the pool.”
According to Mike Gavan, executive director of the Calgary Outdoor Swimming Pools Association, the city’s six other outdoor pools are also doing much better this year thanks to a ‘typical summer’ with nice weather and fewer storms. Last year there were 10 days of no revenue at any of the pools because of cold temperatures and rain.
“It’s great news that revenues are up over last year,” Gavan said, though he added the final figures will not be available until early October, about a month after the pools close on Labour Day.
