By Gazette Staff

September 26th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Parents of swimmers and people who feel the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays got a bum deal from the city want the whole mess looked into.  WArd 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns is looking for a way to have the city Audtor review just how the decision that was made was arrived at.

The parents want to be sure that Kearns understands the issue and ensures that the right questions get asked.

So – they sent her the following::

It is essential that the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD) have their community club status and pool allocations restored and be afforded precedence as a Burlington-based community club. The City’s audit/review of pool and swim meet allocation decisions affecting BAD and the Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club (GHAC), a regional club, is an imperative. Burlington-based clubs must be treated fairly and City policies on allocation, residency, and community support applied consistently. Accountability and transparency must guide all decisions impacting local athletes and taxpayers.

As a Burlington taxpayer with deep concerns about the City’s decisions to date, and the consequences, I have developed a series of questions that I believe should be addressed as part of a review/audit.  While not exhaustive, they reflect issues of particular concern to myself, BAD members, BAD alumni and many taxpayers

Questions for Council / Administration

1. 1. 1. 1. Club Integrity & Compliance

*              If a regional club (GHAC) signs/recruits Burlington swimmers and encroaches on a community club’s (BAD) area without following proper Swim Ontario protocols, does this not call into question the integrity of GHAC in the eyes of City decision-makers given “Club in good standing” is an RFP requirement?

*              Does the City intend to deal strictly with clubs of the highest integrity in its allocation decisions?

1. 1. 1. 2. Value of Community Clubs

*              Does the City see the extraordinary value of a long-standing, 40+ year Burlington-based community club (BAD) — which focuses 100% on Burlington?

*              BAD participates in multiple community events and carries the Burlington name with pride wherever they compete or train — compared to a regional club (GHAC) dividing attention across multiple communities. The swim community recognizes BAD as Burlington’s club.  How does the City weigh this community contribution in allocation decisions?

1. 1. 1. 3. Revenue Disparities and Financial Impact

*              Does the City understand that BAD’s sole revenue source is from operating in the Burlington community while regional clubs (GHAC) generate revenue in multiple communities, giving them an inherent advantage?

*              Does the City realize that BAD has traditionally charged lower fees than all clubs in the Golden Horseshoe geography, including GHAC? While BAD’s pricing advantage for Burlington swimmers and their families has been diminished, we remain the most accessible and inclusive club.

*              Since this matter arose, many BAD swimmers left the program due to the uncertainty and underlying feelings of City abandonment and distrust. The impact on BAD includes: lower fee revenue; reduced support from parent volunteers (including those volunteers with officiating certificates, thereby forcing BAD to hire costly officiants for swim meets); scrambling for more expensive, less attractive non-City pool time. — collectively forcing the remaining BAD swimmers and their families into more expensive, less convenient options. It has eroded BAD’s pricing advantage to the detriment of Burlington swimmers and their families. Did City officials fully understand the negative result their decision would have on Burlington families?

1. 1. 1. 4. Community Support and Legacy

*              Given BAD’s longstanding legacy, decades of alumni, and thousands of taxpayers invested in Burlington, does the City agree that community-based clubs like BAD should receive priority for Burlington pool and Swim meet allocations?

1. 1. 1. 5. Athlete Development & Future Impact

*              Swim clubs cluster athletes by capability; as swimmers approach senior levels, programs intensify and top coaches and facilities are required (e.g., Centennial Pool).

*              For every GHAC swimmer that comes from other communities to train in Burlington pools (clustered at the same level as Burlington swimmers), a Burlington swimmer is displaced. BAD swimmers are clearly at risk of being displaced. How will the City police or prevent this scenario over time to protect local athletes?

1. 1. 1. 6. Pool Allocation Decisions

*              Why did a regional club (GHAC) receive the majority of pool hours while the community club (BAD) received fewer hours?  Shouldn’t the allocation have been the other way around, prioritizing community-based Burlington swimmers (BAD)?

*              BAD has never wanted to displace any swimmer. It simply wants its rightful place restored and preserved. With this in mind, BAD has recommended that the city Council utilize the Shared-Use Framework which appears on the City’s website and is based on Tiered Access (a best practice):

*              Tier 1: Local, not-for-profit, volunteer-led community clubs (BAD);

*              Tier 2: Regional or private, fee-based clubs (GHAC);

*              Tier 3: Short-term rentals, camps, or revenue-driven events.

*              Is the Tiering approach no longer being embraced by the City?

1. 1. 1. 7.     Swim Meet Criticality

*              Swim meets are a major source of revenue for clubs and the Nelson Swim Meet is existential for BAD as its largest fund raising activity.  For GHAC, which operates in multiple municipalities with broader revenue streams, the Nelson meet is optional.  Does the City appreciate swim meets are key to any community club’s (BAD’s) survival?

1. 1. 1. 8. Council Oversight & Policy Consistency

*              The City’s Procurement By-law (04-2022) states: “All Procurement shall be conducted in accordance with … honest, open, fair and transparent behaviour … The City will not extend preferential treatment to any Bidder or Proponent.”

              Given this, and the fact that Council is elected to represent Burlington residents, does the City Council agree it is incumbent upon them to intervene when evidence suggests a City process has not upheld transparency, fairness, or the community’s best interest?

1. 1. 1. 9. Technical Requirements and Equity Concerns

*              BAD was disadvantaged in the RFP process. While the City required a “current and valid certificate of incorporation,” it was unclear how this applied to a club incorporated over 40 years ago and in good standing. BAD consulted authorities, who advised on the documentation that would satisfy the requirement — status easily verifiable through corporate registries and Swim Ontario.  The City’s subsequent guidance on what was acceptable was issued in response to an enquiry regarding the Adult RFP — GHAC, having bid on both Youth and Adult RFPs, benefited from this guidance, while BAD, having submitted only to the Youth RFP, became aware too late to remedy the issue, creating an unintended but unfair disadvantage.

*              Given BAD’s decades-long compliance and integrity, shouldn’t a reasonable, common-sense approach have been applied to confirm this requirement? The City could have recognized BAD’s historical good standing, exercised practical flexibility, and ensured both parties were simultaneously advised of its subsequent guidance.

*              GHAC was allowed leniency upfront regarding minimum residency requirements—why, then, was BAD held to a strict technicality for the certificate? Beyond any minor technical issue, the deeper concern is fairness, equity, and the protection of a long-standing community club.

1. 1. 1. 10. Residency Requirement (85% Burlington Swimmers)

*              The City’s public statement says: “Bidders were required to demonstrate how their organizations will ensure 85% of participants are Burlington residents … The successful bidder – GHAC – indicated it would fulfill this requirement in time for service commencement in September 2025.”

*              If GHAC, a regional club with many non-Burlington members, was allowed to defer compliance with the upfront minimum residency requirement, doesn’t this represent an unfair break relative to the 85% Burlington residency limitation that applies to community clubs like BAD?

*              Will the City be transparent and disclose any differences in the respective contracts of GHAC and BAD that relate to residency enforcement and calculations?

1. 1. 1. 11. Long-Term Athlete Development

*              Does Council understand and acknowledge that pulling pool allocation out from BAD swimmers destabilizes their long-term athletic and community development?

1. 1. 1. 12. Governance and Accountability of Clubs

*              Why does the RFP process apply to swim clubs/pools and not other sports?

 

1. 1. 1. 13. Equity of Contract Terms

*              Can you confirm whether the contract terms with GHAC are identical to those that BAD previously held?

*              If terms were altered (e.g., residency enforcement, financial commitments, contract duration), please explain why and how such changes serve Burlington taxpayers.

*              Are both contracts cancelable by either party, subject to notice? While, in hindsight, it appears the City agrees that a commercial RFP administrative procedure is not appropriate for sports/community club-decisions, nevertheless there is a provision in City documents that can help solve matters.  The Termination clause reads:   “The City may terminate the Contract in whole, or in part, whenever the City determines that such termination is in the best interest of the City without showing cause, upon providing written notice to the Vendor.”  The important clause here is: “in the best interest of the City without showing cause.”

*              Would this not be the provision that allows course correction in the best interest of the City and the taxpayers — in this case the swimmers and families of the community club, BAD?

Closing Statement.

Council must ensure that Burlington’s own residents and community clubs, including BAD, are not disadvantaged within their OWN city. Policies on allocation, fairness, and residency exist to protect local clubs, their members, and taxpayers. It is Council’s responsibility to uphold these principles consistently, without exceptions that favour external organizations such as GHAC.

We respectfully request that you seek clear answers to the above questions as part of your review/audit. Undoubtedly, additional questions will arise, and we would appreciate timely and thorough responses to all inquiries to ensure transparency and accountability.

Starting September 2026, the City needs to reverse course — giving GHAC ample time to transition (a luxury BAD was not afforded) while restoring BAD’s rightful place at the heart of Burlington.  BAD members and concerned taxpayers will remain engaged until this is done because it is the fair and just course of action.

 

 

 

By Gazette Staff

September 11th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD) are officially back in the water!

This week, the club hosted its annual Welcome Back Meeting at the Ron Edwards YMCA in Burlington, bringing together new and returning swimmers to launch an exciting 2025–26 swim season.

The evening featured fun, team-building activities that set the tone for the year ahead. Swimmers and families enjoyed tie-dyeing team T-shirts, creating personalized swim-bag name tags, and participating in interactive games designed to build team spirit and connection.

Adding to the excitement, senior swimmers were on hand to guide and encourage younger teammates, helping them with the activities and sharing their own experiences. Mentorship is a core value at BAD, where older athletes play an active role in inspiring and supporting the next generation of competitive swimmers.

“BAD is more than a swim club—it’s a community,” said Kimberly Calderbank, Volunteer Club President. “Our senior swimmers set a powerful example, and the Welcome Back event is a perfect way to pass on that passion and leadership.”

The Burlington Aquatic Devilrays extend their gratitude to the Ron Edwards YMCA in Burlington for their generous hospitality and continued partnership in supporting grassroots, community-based sport.

With over 40 years of history as a not-for-profit, Burlington-based swim club, BAD continues to nurture athletes of all levels—from first-time competitive swimmers to those pursuing national and international aspirations.

Join the Devilrays

Interested in taking your swimming to the next level?
Learn more about upcoming tryouts and registration at www.burlingtondevilrays.ca or email admin@burlingtondevilrays.ca.

About the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD)
The Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD) is a not-for-profit, community-based swim club that has served Burlington youth for over 40 years. With a focus on development, leadership, and inclusion, BAD supports swimmers from learn-to-swim to national-level competition. We are proud to build not just strong athletes, but strong citizens.

The issues that came up when the swimming pool space was being allocated limited what BAD was able to do with their 25-26 program.  Requests for an independent audit have been published. The Gazette has been informed by a member of Council that she will move a motion in October for an audit to take place. 

 

By Pepper Parr

September 6^th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

You had to be in what was the Old Montreal Forum.

He stood there, arm over the handle of his hockey stick. Waiting.

He seemed too big to be a goalie – that thought disappeared when the puck came his way.

He was the starting goalie in Canada’s 1972 Summit Series team that defeated the Soviet Union in the decisive 6-5 victory in Game 8. 

He was superb.

We lost Ken Dryden on Friday.

By Pam Pitz

September 5th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

 

I am writing in the spirit of goodwill, responsibility, and respect for the City of Burlington. I ask that you carefully review this complaint and take appropriate action to address the concerns raised.

This note relates to the recent developments involving the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD) and the Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club (GHAC).

I am a Burlington resident and a 73-year-old grandmother with a lifelong love of sport, particularly swimming. Four of my grandchildren have swum with BAD, three of them quite recently. While I am not a BAD parent, I feel compelled to speak out due to the impact these developments have had on my family and Burlington’s broader swimming community.

BAD has operated successfully in Burlington for more than 40 years as a not-for-profit club, supported by skilled coaches, committed volunteers, and strong community partnerships. Traditionally, the City allocated pool time sufficient for approximately 400 swimmers, with a residency requirement to ensure the vast majority were Burlington families. BAD has long been recognized as a trusted, well-run program dedicated to swimmer development and competitive opportunity.

This year, when pool contracts were renewed, GHAC was allocated Burlington pool time. While competition between clubs can be healthy, I believe GHAC’s actions—and the City’s handling of the matter—raise serious concerns that require investigation.

Elements of a Successful Swim Program

• Building a quality club takes years. Success depends on a broad base of swimmers across age groups, a long-term development model, and resources to attract strong coaches to sustain operations.
• Team Spirit and Trust: Swimmers, coaches, and families build deep bonds over time, and continuity is essential for growth and wellbeing.
• Volunteers: BAD relies on hundreds of volunteers who dedicate time and resources. Their efforts are sustainable only in a stable, reliable environment. Families cannot be expected to rebuild these bonds in another club, especially under duress. Many swimmers enter clubs at 7 or 8 years of age and continue until their late teens.

Concerns Regarding GHAC and Current Arrangements

Some of the following issues fall within Swim Ontario’s jurisdiction and unique interests. However, the comments and nuances contained in my separate communication to Swim Ontario, ]which are shared below, are important for the City to consider, since municipal pool allocation decisions directly affect fairness, community impact, and the long-term viability of Burlington based programs.  GHAC’s actions may be inconsistent with the usual Swim Ontario sanctioning protocols for regional expansion and for hosting meets outside a club’s traditional home base.

1. Expansion into Burlington: GHAC, traditionally a regional club, has actively recruited Burlington swimmers for years, well before securing pool access. GHAC’s website was recently amended to move Burlington to second place among its service areas, despite its official address being in Dundas. There appears to have been a calculated approach to building a base of Burlington swimmers in advance of their bid for Burlington pool access. While families are free to choose where they swim, this strategy seems questionable when measured against Swim Ontario’s expectations/protocols regarding expansion and the well understood and accepted swim club etiquette of respecting other established clubs and communities.  There is no benefit for the swimmers to move to GHAC — not from a coaching, reputation, or cost point of view.
2. Club Structure and Governance: BAD operates under a traditional not-for-profit model with independent volunteer oversight. By contrast, GHAC appears to follow a more fee-based, volume-driven model, with administrative and coaching roles concentrated within a single family. While families are entitled to choose programs that suit them, this approach—combined with aggressive expansion—raises questions about governance, transparency, and whether growth is being pursued in a manner aligned with community values and not-for-profit principles.
3. Residency Requirement: At the time of renewal, 79% of BAD’s swimmers were Burlington residents—slightly under the 85% target but within historical fluctuations. Reduced pool time has since forced enrolment down from nearly 400 to 163 swimmers, although this number fluctuates, especially in the face of uncertainty. GHAC, by comparison, had only 28% Burlington residents yet was reportedly given months of flexibility to improve its numbers. Applying the residency rule unevenly disadvantaged BAD while benefiting GHAC.
4. Capacity and Costs: Burlington pool capacity is finite. For every Burlington GHAC swimmer who has been training elsewhere, and will now swim in Burlington, a Burlington BAD swimmer is displaced. The overall result is duplication of overhead, increased costs for families, and weakened stability for both programs. Many swimmers have already dropped out in the face of uncertainty and betrayal.  It’s difficult to find training in other communities who have their own residency requirements.  BAD swimmers are facing rising costs which are prohibitive for many Burlington families who previously enjoyed BAD’s lower fee structure.  Overall confidence in Burlington’s commitment to a sustainable competitive swim club that gives the City of Burlington undivided attention, pride and community support is declining. The destruction of BAD’s 40 year history does not bode well for the future as swimmers worry about a similar circumstance at the next contract renewal.  Their sense of stability and trust has been severely weakened.

While GHAC may suggest it can satisfy Burlington’s expectations by keeping Burlington-addressed swimmers in Burlington pools and directing swimmers from other communities elsewhere, this is unrealistic. Their recruitment has taken the total number of Burlington swimmers, between BAD and GHAC, to well beyond  Burlington City capacity. Obviously, some will be displaced or be unfairly forced to swim outside of Burlington.   In addition, as swimmers progress, they require higher-calibre coaching, stronger peer support, and access to the best facilities. Just as importantly, for a club to operate efficiently and effectively, senior swimmers must be consolidated under the highest-level coaches in the strongest facilities. Naturally, senior swimmers from both Burlington and beyond will migrate to train together at the City’s premier venues—particularly Centennial Pool. This pattern is consistent across all clubs: senior swimmers with similar needs inevitably come together at the strongest facility available. It will be impossible for the City to monitor or restrict this, yet the effect is clear: for every non-Burlington swimmer  training here, a Burlington swimmer is also displaced.  If GHAC truly had the swimmers best interests in mind, any Burlington resident expressing interest in competitive swimming over the last several years should have been referred to BAD in the first place — rather than bringing into the GHAC program and having them and their families endure inconvenient travel to training facilities outside of Burlington.

Swim Meet Sanctioning: Nelson Pool has been awarded to GHAC for an outdoor swim meet— historically a BAD signature event (14+ years), drawing clubs from across Ontario and beyond (e.g. Newfoundland and Mexico).  It serves as a key fundraiser supported by hundreds of Burlington volunteers and is a source of tourism for the City.  GHAC’s efforts to secure this event, despite Burlington not being its traditional home base, appear to be a further calculated step in consolidating its presence in the City. If sanctioned by Swim Ontario, this would severely undermine BAD’s ability to sustain its operations.

Community Impact: BAD, a community pillar for over four decades, is now at risk. Families are disheartened, children are leaving the sport, and Burlington’s swim culture is being eroded. This outcome serves no one—not the athletes, not the families, and not the City.

Requested Action

I respectfully ask the City of Burlington to conduct a thorough review/audit of this matter to ensure:

• GMAC, and all Swim Ontario sanctioned clubs, are required to confirm they are in full alignment with Swim Ontario’s rules, sanctioning protocols and codes of conduct. It’s important that communities and Swim Ontario encourage and embrace a spirit of cooperation for their mutual benefit.
• Residency requirements are enforced fairly and equally.
• Not-for-profit governance remains transparent and accountable.
• Longstanding community-based clubs like BAD are protected and supported.
• Burlington families are provided a sustainable, cost-effective environment for swimming.
• Traditional commercial RFP processes/documents are no longer utilized for children’s sports facility allotments. Contracts should be extendable to ensure stability and sustainability unless, of course, there are breaches in contract requirements such as proper facility treatment, etc.

Closing

This is not simply about pool time or BAD —it is about fairness, community, and the future of sport in Burlington. I strongly believe GHAC’s tactics, combined with the City’s approach, warrant a complete and independent review.  The BAD contract, and I assume the GHAC one, has a clause that allows either party to cancel subject to a 90 day notice period.  With this in mind, and the strength to do what is right, a reinstatement of BAD’s previous allotment of pool time is necessary to restore and preserve its longstanding position within Burlington and the overall swim community, and to give the swimmers confidence that they will have the protection and stability they deserve.  GHAC’s approach and eventual encroachment into Burlington facilities is simply not acceptable.

For transparency, in addition to filling a complaint to Swim Ontario based on their unique interests, I have copied this email to City Council, the Integrity Commissioner, the Burlington Sports Alliance, and other relevant stakeholders. There is concern among many sports clubs in Burlington and beyond that the current situation, if not remedied, will set a precedent detrimental to their sustainability.

While I am reluctant to involve myself in controversial matters, there comes a time when one must act in the best interest of children, families, and the community. Therefore, I respectfully repeat my request that this matter receive the scrutiny it deserves.

Thank you in advance for your attention.  I trust you will act in the best interest of our athletes, families, and the sport of swimming.