(Pierrefonds-Roxboro, June 9, 2021) - Borough Council is very pleased to announce the opening of the Versailles Pool, which becomes the second municipal pool open to the general public in the borough.
This is the second time that a non-profit organization (NPO) has turned over its facilities to the City for the benefit of the entire population. When private, the pools are reserved for members of the organization. The first municipal pool was inaugurated in 2014. It is the Valleycrest pool located in the western part of the borough.
The Versailles Gardens Community Association cancelled its usufruct of the land and pool at no cost to the Ville de Montréal, which became the owner. Work to rebuild the pool and chalet began in 2018.
"I am extremely proud of the opening of this second municipal pool for our citizens. The borough had an important need to improve the quality and accessibility of its aquatic facilities. The Versailles pool, located in the centre of the borough, will serve a large portion of our population and will be open to the public to the delight of families, children, seniors and those with reduced mobility," said Borough Mayor Dimitrios (Jim) Beis.
The facilities
The work consisted of renovating and upgrading the Versailles pool, which was about 60 years old. The pool and paddling pool were completely demolished and rebuilt. As for the chalet, it is a brand new building that houses the caretaker's office, the technical rooms, the changing rooms and the sanitary block.
Borough residents have unlimited access to the free swim sessions for the entire season by purchasing passes for $5 per person or $15 per family The Versailles association will continue to manage the premises and will be responsible for hiring the reception, lifeguard and maintenance staff and for providing aquatic training to users (swimming lessons and other courses). It will also host the regional meets.
Sincere thanks
"I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the citizens of the neighbourhood for their patience during construction. They had to deal with the noise and truck traffic. I hope that they will now be able to take full advantage of these facilities, which are now available to them and to all Montréal citizens" added Mayor Beis.
Financial aspect
The investment is $3.7 million plus taxes, of which nearly $900,000 was paid in the form of a grant from the Programme aquatique de Montréal, the Municipalité amie des aînés (MADA) program and the Programme de soutien pour la mise en valeur de la rivière des Prairies. The balance of $2.7 million was financed by the Borough through its three-year capital expenditure program (PTI). This expenditure includes the contract awarded to FASRS Groupe St-Lambert for the construction and all related expenses such as professional fees, laboratory fees and equipment (furniture, diving board, etc.).
The pool is located at 13209, rue Desjardins. Citizens can register on piscineversailles.com
The pool will open to the public on June 19. - 30 -
Source: Communications Division
514 626-5516
