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Charlottetown councillor wants free swimming at Simmons pool

Charlottetown city councillor Mitchell Tweel, who also chairs the city's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Activities Committee, wants to see the $2 admission fee to swim at Simmons pool abolished. The nearby Victoria Park pool does not charge admission and often deals with long lines and crowded parking.

Mitchell Tweel says free swimming at Victoria Park pool presents double standard

Charlottetown city councillor Mitchell Tweel would like to see swimming at Simmons pool free for users as it is at Victoria Park pool.

Charlottetown city councillor Mitchell Tweel wants to see the $2 admission fee to swim at Simmons pool abolished to match the free admission at nearby Victoria Park pool.

Tweel, chair of the Parks, Recreation and Leisure Activities Committee, explained that free swimming at Simmons could help Victoria Park pool with some of its issues, such as long lines and a lack of available parking spaces. He noted that some people using the pool often park in the cycling lanes on Brighton Road.

Councillor Mitchell Tweel says free swimming at Simmons pool would eliminate a double standard as well as help Victoria Park pool with some of its issues, such as lineups and parking. (Krystalle Ramlakhan/CBC)

Tweel says he's "not a strong believer in the user-pay philosophy" and would like to see more recreational programs offered for free. Doing so would get more people involved in recreational activities, he said.

"I see it as a win-win. I see it as eliminating the double standard and having more of our citizens being involved in recreation," said Tweel.

With files from Angela Walker