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This article was published 22/3/2015 (2009 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An inner-city children's group joined the wave against cuts to city swimming programs Saturday, warning they could put Sharks Pool into permanent dry dock unless the city backs off.

"I am angry the city isn't taking into account the need of the people in our community. I feel we aren't being listened to, said Sharks Swim Club past president Karla Dueck Thiessen.

"For three years, we've been without a facility or programming, and now it doesn't look promising. It feels like we're taking another step back. Cutting funding doesn't solve the problem."

A statement from the club says a $100,000 cut to indoor pool programs in the city's preliminary budget would cloud prospects to renovate and reopen Sherbrook Pool.

Council's finance chairman Marty Morantz said last week he and fellow councillors on executive policy committee will not restore $100,000 to indoor pools that was lost in the preliminary budget. The city released a statement after the proposed cut saying it would not impact plans for Sherbrook Pool.

Despite the assurance, two other community groups -- the Kinsman Club of Winnipeg and Friends of Sherbrook Pool -- have expressed similar concerns.

Sherbrook Pool has been closed since November 2012 because of structural problems. Despite community support, the city administration opposed reopening the pool because it did not believe it was wise to devote money to an aging facility.

However, council approved the structural repairs in the 2014 budget, and that work was expanded when the Kinsmen agreed to contribute $1 million. The province later committed funding for interior renovations.

Sharks Swim Club, a non-profit group, represents kids aged 7 to 18 in culturally diverse, low-income, inner-city areas. They would use the pool if it was reopened and programs were in place to accommodate children unable to afford swimsuits or make use of the pool due to cultural and social barriers, the group says.

For example, signs on the Sherbrook Pool are confusing for immigrants whose second language is English. One Vietnamese family who had lived in the area for 10 years believed the pool was a public bath.

"Without the city's commitment, organizations like the Kinsmen are thinking twice about investing in our community," said the club's statement.

The Kinsmen said they want assurances from the city before they give the $1-million donation.

Ultimately, what happens to Sherbrook will happen to other aging pools, too, the club warned.

"If we lose Sherbrook Pool today, we will lose Cindy Klassen pool tomorrow, and eventually lose the core of what makes Winnipeg special and a community that works together to provide equal opportunity to everyone," the statement said.

alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca