We Need to Open Surrey’s Aquatic Centres Now, Not Later: Councillor Linda Annis

Surrey, B.C. (August 11, 2020) | Councillor Linda Annis wants city hall to reopen Surrey’s pools and aquatic centres this month, rather than waiting until October which is the current plan.

“The mayor is keeping pools and aquatic centres closed to reduce the city’s deficit coming out of COVID-19, meanwhile the $129 million police transition budget remains untouched,” explained Annis.

“There is absolutely no reason not to get on with reopening our pools and aquatic centres. We can meet every COVID-19 requirement today. Instead, the mayor is keeping things closed and those savings are being used to help fund the police transition bill.”

Annis said that after pressure from the community the city recently moved to open more sheets of ice faster than originally planned, and she wants the same approach taken to Surrey’s pools.

“COVID cannot be an excuse any longer, there is no provincial health regulation prohibiting reopening with the right rules in place,” noted Annis. “So, staying closed isn’t a health decision, it’s a political decision by the mayor and his four councillors to save money and then spend those savings on the costly police transition bill.”

Annis said families, children, seniors and swimming and diving teams are all being left out in the cold, something that isn’t necessary.

“No city has better aquatic facilities than Surrey,” Said Annis. “We also have the staff and expertise to open our public facilities and keep them open safely. Community facilities are important to our quality of life and so we should get on with reopening them without delay. If city staff were given instructions to open we could be up and running in days, rather than waiting until October.”