By Pepper Parr
August 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD) said they needed 50 hours of pool time every week when they filed their RFP (Request for Proposal the City issued.
“It is new pool time we negotiated,” said Calderbank.
Kimberly Calderbank, volunteer president of the Devilrays said at the time that her club could get by with 40 hours.
They have 35 hours, which means some programs might have to be dropped.
Registration is taking place and by the end of the week, Calderbank and the team she works with, will have figured out what they are going to be able to do this season and accept what they have to work with for the next four years.
What BAD has been able to do is get time at the Ron Edwards Family YMCA pool, a “game changer” from Calderbank’s perspective. “It is new pool time we negotiated,” said Calderbank.
GHAC – the Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club has time at every city swimming pool while BAD has time at: Nelson, Centennial, and Angela Coughlan.
GHAC got additional swimming pool time as a result of the RFP they won, through what many people think was a flawed process.
What everyone is waiting for is what does each club have in the way of members registered for the fall programs.
Is the 80% Burlington resident requirement still in place? And what if GHAC membership does not meet the 80% Burlington residential requirement?
I don’t think this story is over yet.
What the Gazette would like to see if a fair, independent look at what really happened during the determination of who won the RFP.
The fear many have is that the city will try to sweep everything under the rug.
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So much has been made regarding how many swimmers actually live in Burlington. There is a mandatory 80% Burlington residency requirement.
My question: Is this a requirement for those who rent ice time to play hockey?
Unless I’ve missed something – wouldn’t be the first time nor the last – amongst the many things that I have not heard from the City are the words “We’re deeply sorry. We messed up (royally) and we sincerely apologize for the problems which we have visited on swimmers and their families”. Indeed, I think that there is a country-style sampler on the Mayor’s wall (right beside the white board ‘does it get us votes’ chart) that says “Never apologize, never admit you’re wrong, never explain, just keep moving”. These admonitions are hallmarks of the Meed Ward administration and of her political career.
The story, unfortunately, is far from over. GHAC has been given until some time in September to satisfy the mandatory 80% residency requirement. Providing this extension is questionable imo. You either meet a mandatory or you don’t. If enough swimmers do not move from BAD to the GHAC team, then GHAC will fail the mandatory. However, apparently, at such time, a remediation process will be put in place to help them meet the requirement sometime in the future. This is bid repair pure and simple. What a mess – and the multiple initial mistakes are now starting to be compounded. And flying Maroon and Grey or Blue and White flags at City Hall just won’t be enough.
I suspect this “deal” comes with it an agreement to not investigate the wrong doing of the RFP process.
you mean the political interference of the Mayor and council in a procurement decision
35 hours or 0 …… not a tough decision.
how much time and tax $ were spent on this “mistake” ?
regardless of the outcome, question is ….. accountability ? who is getting fired ?
I would like to see more of your sports coverage on Victoria Mboko.Toronto media keeps claiming her!
Editor’s Note: News is location, location, LOCATION
Yes! Right! She is a Burlington Ian! Why no coverage?
Editor’s note: I did not know that – first I heard of it – will do what I can to follow up.
She just beat Osaka to win the Toronto Open. She beat 4 grand slam winners in a row to win the title. Burlington resident !