By Gazette Staff
October 14, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
At the Council meeting that is expected to adjourn in a few minutes Mayor Meed Ward asked if there were any Notices of Motion coming.
There were none – which means Ward 2 Councillor Kearns, is not going forward with her intention to have the City Audit people look at the swimming pool allocation issues.
The Burlington Aquatic Devilrays have said that without more pool time, the club would have to cease operating.
Councillor Kearns: Has support for the BAD swimming club petered out?
Does this mean Kearns has given up on doing anything for her constituents?
Related news story.
Resident wants a meeting with a ward Councillor
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Bruce – Ironically, your statement that Tom was merely expressing his opinion rather than verifiable facts is itself an opinion. The real issue here is transparency. If full transparency existed, the debate over opinion versus fact wouldn’t arise.
Here is my opinion — This isn’t a case of major corporations competing for a lucrative city contract where protecting trade secrets might be justified. It’s about two swim clubs—one community-based and the other regional—where there should be nothing to hide.
The City appears to have lost sight of the transparency taxpayers are entitled to expect. The original article highlighted someone calling for openness, and that’s exactly what we should support. Restoring transparency is essential to rebuilding public trust and integrity. City councillors and staff work for taxpayers and must remain vigilant in upholding that trust.
Cheryl ,if the powers that be in City Hall decide that an audit is not in their best interest it won’t happen.
The city seems to play the long game, hoping that residents move on to the next issue.
I read in the Gazette that Kimberley Calderbank resigned as volunteer President of BAD. Why has she not been more transparent as to what had taken place? Perhaps she has not been able to.
The same might be the case for Councillor Kearns.
But unlike Councillor Kearns, Kimberley Calderbank is not an elected public official. Kearns and Calderbank do not have the same obligations to the city residents and tax payers as their roles are very different. Calderbank would have a responsibility to the club and it’s membership and any transparency to the members may not make it into the public domain. Kearns should be held to a much higher standard, along with the rest of city council. This is what they signed up for when they ran to be city council members.
Penny, you say here
“The city seems to play the long game, hoping that residents move on to the next issue.”
And yet, Penny, you who vociferously says Council must be held to account say here:-
“I think this subject has been beaten to death.”
and
“Time to move on.”
So, Penny, which is it? Move on or hold Council to account.
I note here Bruce Leigh as let us know there is an upcoming opportunity to in person in an open forum question Councilor Kearns on this matter. Please go there and be vocal?
Nobody asked for sides, just transparency and fairness – both lacking.
It has NOT been beaten to death. This is why taxpayers get frustrated. When you raise bonafide issues to deaf ears, some people think it should go away. That is when you push harder until somebody listens. It’s wrong to not have complete transparency too. BAD did nothing wrong and stakeholders know it was an unfair exercise with little-to-no common sense applied. To sit by and see a 40 year+ community based organization be so severely damaged is the real issue. It takes persistence and courage to do what is right – not cynicism and capitulation. Hopefully Councillor Kearns will have that courage as this goes well beyond a Swim club – it has the interest of sports clubs throughout Burlington and elsewhere – they are worried it could happen to them. Years of athletes, volunteers, community activities, and the creation of a healthy, stable offering for our kids to learn and grow is a at risk. That is always worth fighting for and the concerns are growing.
I think this subject has been beaten to death.
I am certain that Councillor Kearns has addressed this issue with the appropriate staff and we will probably see changes in the way the City allocates pool time.
Time to move on.
We all have our plights, a quick google finds you once stood for something why not allow some of us to take a stand?
Yes. She has
I’m not sure you have it right. I don’t think she was attempting as you put it, to do anything for the BAD Club. My perspective is she was looking for an audit to ensure fairness and transparency. Neither pro BAD nor pro GHAC!
Agree.