Why Closing Toronto’s School Pools Would Be Devastating for Families 

And why we need to speak up—now.

The recent Globe and Mail article, "Closing Toronto school pools would be devastating to communities, critics say," raises an alarm that many of us in the swim community have been feeling for months. If the proposed budget changes move forward, all 66 school pools in Toronto—including 27 publicly permitted ones—are now at risk of closure.

This isn’t just a facilities issue. It’s a public safety, equity, and community issue.

At Felix Swim Schools, many of our Toronto locations rely on permitted school pools to run swimming lessons. These are not just recreational programs. They teach life-saving water safety skills, promote healthy physical activity, and provide safe, supervised spaces for thousands of children each year. Many families simply do not have access to private pools or expensive alternatives.

Here’s what we risk losing:

• Affordable and accessible swimming lessons for children across the city
  
  

• Community-based programs like lifeguard certification, parent & tot swim, and adaptive swimming
  
  

• Safe after-school activities that keep youth engaged and active
  
  

• Jobs for local instructors, lifeguards, and support staff
  
  

• Trusted, familiar places where kids grow in skill, confidence, and joy
  
  

The Globe article captured what we’ve seen firsthand: the closing of these pools would have a devastating ripple effect, especially on children and communities who rely on them most.

We urge all parents, educators, and community members to raise their voices.

📣 What you can do:

• Sign the petition at joshmatlow.ca/saveourpools
  
  

• Share your family’s swim story online
  
  

• Contact your local MPP and school trustee
  
  

We need to act now to protect these essential resources.