Toronto extending 10 pool closures for three weeks beyond Labour Day

The City of Toronto says it is extending the closing dates for 10 outdoor pools by three weeks in order to provide relief for residents from higher-than-normal temperatures this summer.

The following outdoor pools, which were scheduled to close on September 4, will now remain open between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 7 p.m. until September 24:

• Alex Duff Memorial Pool – 779 Crawford St.
• Heron Park Community Centre – 292 Manse Rd.
• Kiwanis Outdoor Pool – 375 Cedarvale Ave.
• Leaside Outdoor Pool – 5 Leaside Park Dr.
• Ledbury Park Outdoor Pool – 160 Ledbury St.
• McGregor Park Community Centre – 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.
• Monarch Park Outdoor Pool – 115 Felstead Ave.
• Pine Point Park Outdoor Pool – 15 Grierson Rd.
• Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool – 1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
• Wedgewood Park Outdoor Pool – 15 Swan Ave.

The city says more than 140 splash and spray pads across the city will also continue to operate between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. until September 17.

“We want kids and families to have more fun,” said Mayor Olivia Chow before taking a dip herself at Alex Duff Memorial Pool.

“I have a fairly stressful job and one of the things I like to do is to go swimming at the end of the day.”

Chow says despite the current budget crunch, the city is able to extend these 10 pools because there was some underspending and there is still money within the existing budget. Staff will also be available to work at the pools beyond Labour Day and the pools mentioned also have sufficient lighting for evening swimming. When it comes to the splash and spray pads, caregivers are reminded to supervise children as these are unsupervised water-play areas.

Residents can check each pool location for hours of operation here.

This is not the first time the city has extended pool closures, having done so in 2020 and 2021 due to forecasted hot weather in September and a delay in opening due to the pandemic.