Harry Class Pool Upgrades

Thank you to everyone who answered our survey, shared their comments, or spoke with us this summer. We heard from over 350 visitors to the pool and to the project webpage!

Who we heard from

Most of the people who answered the survey are frequent visitors to the pool. Most (80%) said they had visited Harry Class in the last 2 years, and almost two-thirds (58%) said they visit the pool more than 10 times a year. Respondents included:

• Solo swimmers
• Families with children 12 years and under
• Families with youth over the age of 12
• People who visit with their partners or other adult family members
• People who visit with their friends or neighbours
• Caregivers and personal support workers of persons with disabilities
• People of all ages, though most (80%) were adults aged 30 to 60

Most (80%) said they travel 5km or less to get to the pool, but about the same number of people drive (64%) as they do walk or bike (65%). Most (81%) take part in public swims, almost half (47%) do lane swims, and some (15%) also take fitness classes or swimming lessons.

But respondents also said they do a lot more than swim at Harry Class Pool! During a typical visit, they also:

• Cool off in the pool
• Hang out or socialize with friends
• Play with the water toys
• Play games both in and out of the water
• Relax outside of the pool (suntanning, reading)
• Teach children to swim or watch them practice
• Eat a snack or a meal

Why they choose Harry Class

We learned that Harry Class is a location of choice for many respondents, as over half (54%) had not visited another outdoor pool in the last 2 years. Most (70%) said they choose Harry Class Pool because it is close to home or work. Others said the main reason they choose this pool because it is an affordable option (50%) or because the facility is clean, safe, and high quality (30%).

One thing that was very clear in the comments is how much Harry Class Pool means to the people who visit. Some respondents said they have been swimming here their whole lives! We were overwhelmed by positive comments like these:

• “Honestly, I love Harry Class, it's a great pool, love the deck, and the energy.”
• “Harry Class is the best pool… it really is. Open sky - open greenery around - soccer next door - best size, best pool layout. Up on a bit of a hill - light breeze - doesn't feel like the city.”
• “Harry Class is a community hub in the summer. It is a place of connection.”
• “Going to Harry Class feels like traveling back in time, in a good way! So fun to see kids and teens playing and being kids in the water on a hot day. Also the lifeguards do such a great job. It’s a right of passage for kids to pass the swim test, get the green wrist band, the official card and earn the right to swim in the deep end.”
• “I rediscovered outdoor swimming at the beginning of the pandemic. Ever since, Harry Class' lane swims (both dedicated and during public swim) have dramatically improved my physical and (most importantly) mental health. To be in the open air, feel the sun, rain, breeze, and hear the world in between strokes quite literally soothes my soul. Every summer I look forward to opening day.”

Takeaways

Overall, comments showed that we need to continue to offer a variety of amenities and programming that are fun, safe, and inclusive for children and adults of all ages. There were some clear takeaways from your feedback:

Evening swim times

Nearly two-thirds (61%) said they would be likely or very likely to swim at night if we were able to offer extended hours. A common theme in the comments was to extend the hours and offer evening swim times.

Amenities for play, accessibility and storage

Respondents said that the three most important types of amenities are the ones that support:

1. Play – amenities that enable more and different types of fun and games
2. Accessibility – amenities that are easy to use for people of all ages and abilities
3. Storage – amenities that secure and protect your personal property

Support for play, accessibility and storage amenities was reflected in the written comments as well.

• Respondents commonly suggested having more interactive features for play, for fun, more toys, and to have something fun to replace the slide.
• To make the pool more accessible for all ages and abilities, respondents suggested a ramp, handrails, or other low-barrier way to enter the pool.
• Respondents commented that theft can be an issue. Storage options like lockers and bike racks would help.

The slide

The old slide was certainly beloved and many respondents said they would like to see a new slide of some kind. Sadly, the slide had reached the end of its life and could not be repaired nor replaced. We will, however, consider other amenities that recreate the fun and joy the slide brought to our community.

Programming improvements

We also received other detailed comments for ways we might enhance your experience at Harry Class Pool, including suggestions for improving:

• The cleanliness and maintenance of the pool
• The lane swimming experience
• Seating, tables and shade
• The registration, entry and sign-in process
• The décor and aesthetic of the pool environment
• Programming for different needs or interests (for example: adult-only swims, sensory-friendly swims, races or contests)

Other suggestions

We also received suggestions that are unfortunately outside of our available budget for the current upgrades. We have noted your ideas and will consider them in the future but won’t be able to act on them at this time. This includes suggestions for:

• Splashpad or sprayers
• Hot tub or sauna
• Water park amenities
• New or higher diving boards
• Upgrades to the parking lot
• New concession stand or snack bar
• Adding bike lanes to Queen Street
• Renovations to the building (examples: new showers, door widening)

Next steps

We are now preparing to make upgrades for the 2025 season taking the survey results into account. In response to your feedback, we will set aside some of the budget for new play equipment and fun toys to use at public swims. In the spring, you will have another opportunity to help us decide what specific toys and equipment to buy.

Please subscribe for updates to this page to be notified when that next consultation opens. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your summer.

We are interested in hearing from Harry Class Pool visitors about their current experiences at the pool and how they might like to use the pool in the future. This will help us to identify some options that will meet the needs of our community. Later this summer, you’ll have a chance to give your feedback on the options we developed.

For now, share your comments with us in-person at the pool or online on this page. There's a short survey or share your favourite thing about Harry Class Pool.

Answer the survey

- or -

Share your favourite thing

How we will decide

We have a limited budget to spend on this project. That means that renovating the building or expanding the size of the pool are not possible right now. What we are considering is adding a few new amenities and refurbishing existing features.

Our decision about what amenities to include at the pool depends on the following:

• allocated budget
• existing infrastructure
• community input and feedback
• current recreation and aquatics trends
• demographic changes in Kitchener

We know many of you would like to replace the slide that was taken down. Unfortunately, it was not a broadly inclusive or accessible amenity, so there are no intentions of replacing it with the same type of slide.

Your participation is important so that we can choose other amenities that meet the needs of our current visitors and our community.