There’s more than just great pools at the new C.S.L. aquatics centre

Kristine Berey

September 2011

Seniors will have pride of place in the newly opened Côte St. Luc Aquatic and Community Centre, which held its open house on August 28.

Several elected officials from the three levels of government that joined forces in making the project possible were present, including MP Irwin Cotler, MNA Lawrence Bergman and C.S.L. mayor Anthony Housefather. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Cotler called the state-of-the-art public facility, completed in less than one year and within its $17.4-million budget, “the realization of a dream.”

As the curious crowd poured into the building, veteran Saul Susser stood by in full regalia to welcome fellow members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 97. “In the coming months this will be our home,” Susser said. The Côte St. Luc Senior Men’s Club and the Senior Social Club will make their homes in the new building as well.

The programs that will be held at the centre beginning September 6 were designed with input from teachers and the public, with the aim of meeting the different needs of the community, said Ryan Nemeroff, the city’s social program co-ordinator for children, teens and adults. “We wanted to bring everything together under the same roof.”

Saul Susser is a member of the C.S.L. Senior Men’s Club Photo: Kristine Berey

Featured will be a fitness room, art studio, dance and exercise room, an “express” branch of the Eleanor London C.S.L. Library (for members only), Senior Clubs Lounge, teen lounge and game room, complete with pool and ping-pong tables, accessible to both teens and seniors at different hours. There are large conference rooms that may be rented.

But the raison d’être of the centre is aquatics, and the centre features two bright indoor swimming pools, one for competitive programs and a recreational pool in which aquafit programs and open swim will be held. The pools and various programs are also available for non Côte St. Luc residents, though a fee is charged for different activities.

The centre is at 5794 Parkhaven, 514-485-6800.