160 supporters gather at Ironwood Stage & Grill to raise awareness about Inglewood Pool

The City of Calgary has announced its closing the Inglewood Pool. (Photo: Facebook/Save the Inglewood Pool)

Around 160 people attended a rally to save the Inglewood Pool Sunday afternoon.

“Fill the Grill – Save the Inglewood Pool” at the Ironwood, drew supporters from all quadrants of the city, said one of the organizers, Fiona McKenzie, who came to eat lunch, listen to speakers Jeromy Farkas, Dr. Diana Onea and David de Vlieger, and to build awareness about the pool.

“It’s not just a community pool,” said McKenzie. “People come from all across the city to use this pool.

"It's important for our community, for seniors, people with disabilities, children, but  it's not just a community pool. It's a city pool.”

McKenzie urged the city to rethink its decision to close down the Inglewood pool, as there are no imminent risks to the public and no urgent repairs are actually needed.

The building is more than 50 years old and has lasted much longer than the expected 20-year lifespan.

It would cost $800,000 in operating costs over two years, and an estimated $350,000 in repairs.

However, those who love the facility say it’s a vital community hub and hope council will listen to their pleas to keep it open.

“This is the fourth city pool that is being shut down,” she said. “The city wants to have just these big rec centers. They're not a one-size-fits-all (scenario)."

She believes that community pools help neighbourhoods thrive.

Fiona McKenzie is one of the organizers for Save the Inglewood Pool.

“The city is planning on spending a minimum of $2 million to knock down the pool, when really it would be cheaper for them to keep the pool open than to bulldoze it,” she said. “And our density is growing."

With files from CTV's Tyler Barrow and Jacqueline Wilson