DUNNVILLE—Haldimand County recently released a statement related to community fundraising efforts for a proposed Dunnville indoor pool facility, noting that the project is not affiliated with the County.
“Haldimand County appreciates the passion and dedication of Dunnville residents who continue to advocate for enhanced recreation facilities in their community,” read the statement. “We recognize the value that such amenities bring to residents of all ages and abilities, and we thank those who have shared their ideas and vision.”
The release said that Haldimand explored potential new recreational infrastructure, like an indoor pool, during the development of the Community and Recreation Facility Strategy approved by Council in December 2024.
“While the concept of a pool and fitness/wellness centre in Dunnville has been discussed, no formal project has been approved by Council. Additionally, the County is not involved in fundraising efforts and cannot accept donations related to this proposal. Any fundraising activities are not connected to or supported by Haldimand County,” continued the statement.
It promised future decisions about major recreation investments will be guided by the County’s comprehensive long-term financial strategy, which is expected to be completed in 2026.
“(The indoor pool is) something they’ve been trying to do for 20-plus years,” said Ward 6 Councillor Patrick O’Neill in an interview about the community fundraising group. “They were a part of the group that got the (Dunnville Memorial) arena on its feet.”
O’Neill said the County statement is to ensure potential donors understand the project is not currently affiliated with the County in any way.
One long-time proponent for an indoor pool in Dunnville, Mike Ramsey, said the idea dates to the 1980s when the Maple Creek Leisure Volunteer Committee began work on the Dunnville soccer park. That committee would later work on and fundraise for many projects around the community.
Ramsey said the group drafted plans in 2010 to build a complex with two ice rinks and a swimming pool on a County-owned Ramsey Drive property. While the group asked the Council of the day to follow that plan, ultimately the Dunnville Memorial Arena was built without a pool.
With committee members aging and fundraised money sitting in the bank, Ramsey said the decision was made to hire the same architect who drafted the Dunnville and Cayuga arena plans to design a pool addition for Dunnville.
In an email, former Dunnville Chamber of Commerce president and current treasurer Marianne Kidd asked Haldimand’s Community Partnerships and Programming Manager Katrina Schmitz about the best path forward to advance the proposed pool.
“Specifically, what steps would a community group need to take to put a proposal under staff and Council review?” asked Kidd, also requesting if any “specific triggers,” such as population growth, might put Dunnville higher on the priority list for existing recreational spending.
Kidd also noted the potential community benefits of such a facility to Schmitz, including:
- Having modern wellness infrastructure is often cited as a factor in attracting and retaining doctors.
- Dunnville has a growing senior population that requires therapeutic, accessible, and consistent programs year-round.
- The current Lions Pool and Central Park wading pool are aging and in need of repair, and the splash pad alone does not address the broader need for programming.
In her reply, Schmitz said that the recreation strategy was the result of “extensive community consultation, research, growth, and demographic analysis, as well as financial feasibility and capacity analysis.”
Ultimately, she added, the strategy “did not support the construction of an indoor pool in Haldimand County at this time.”
She noted the report was accepted by Council, who indicated the need for a comprehensive long-term financial strategy, due in 2026, before any further discussion about a pool or wellness facility could take place.
Ramsey called Haldimand’s recreation study “one-sided to west Haldimand”. He said that nearby developments in Smithville and Binbrook could drive additional traffic to a Dunnville pool. Ultimately, he believes making the pool a reality will require a volunteer effort so compelling that Council can’t say no.
While there are no formal plans in place for such a project from Haldimand County, O’Neill said that he and Councillor Rob Shirton did successfully put forth a motion to complete a feasibility study for an indoor pool in Dunnville.
“As far as the pool itself goes, I can’t say we’re close, but we’re further than we’ve ever been,” said O’Neill, noting previous County concerns for both the capital investment and ongoing operational costs of such a facility. “I understand it’s going to be expensive and there will be decisions to be made, but let’s get an actual feasibility study, find out how much it would cost, what the timelines would be, actually get something on paper.”
