Gilroy calls for fee reduction at weight room in Sherbrook pool
A city councillor has floated the idea of reducing fees at the fitness and weight room at a city pool.
The Kinsmen Sherbrook Pool's general admission is $8.14 — the same price as larger, newer facilities with more amenities, including the Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex.
A motion introduced by Coun. Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre) at city council Thursday would see fees reduced to match similarly-sized recreation centres, such as the Freight House on Isabel Street, where admission is $3 per person.
PHIL HOSSACK / FREE PRESS FILES
A motion introduced by Coun. Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre) at city council Thursday proposed a reduction to the Kinsmen Sherbrook Pool's general admission from the current price of $8.14 to match similarly-sized recreation centres where admission is $3 per person.
While the city has a fee assistance program to help low-income Winnipeggers access recreation programs, Gilroy said lowering the cost could encourage people from any income bracket to choose the Sherbrook pool.
'We're always very concerned about losing this pool, so getting our numbers up is really critical,' she said Thursday.
The Sherbrook pool's weekday hours are set to shrink as of Sunday, to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, down from 6:45 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
In 2024, city council called for a review to assess the pool's use, cost and options. That report is expected in fall 2027.
Wednesdays
Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture.
Mayor Scott Gillingham has said there is no plan to close Sherbrook.
While the Sherbrook's fitness room isn't as large as others, and may not have the newest equipment, reducing fees could get more people in the door and increase revenue overall, Gilroy said.
'If we can start getting more people using it, then maybe we can update some of the equipment,' she said.
The motion will be considered by the community services committee next month.
malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca
Malak AbasReporter
Malak Abas is a city reporter at the Free Press. Born and raised in Winnipeg's North End, she led the campus paper at the University of Manitoba before joining the Free Press in 2020. Read more about Malak.
Every piece of reporting Malak produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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