By Joseph Gaetan
July 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Having followed the Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting this morning, it was impossible to ignore the emotional weight carried by the young swimmers in attendance. Their long, sad faces told a story that no statistics or procurement policy can truly convey. The decision by the City of Burlington to deny the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays (BAD) pool time has had a tangible and heartbreaking impact.
Members of BAD – not looking very pleased with what they were hearing.
Beyond the procedural and legal questions, the human cost of this decision is quickly becoming irreparable. BAD is home to approximately 400 swimmers, with an additional 100 on a waiting list. These are not just numbers—they represent children, families, and years of commitment to a sport that thrives on stability and community. With the shift to Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club (GHAC), many of these young athletes now face uncertainty, possible exclusion, and disrupted athletic development.
GHAC’s model appears to depend on absorbing swimmers from BAD in order to fulfill contract requirements. This has led to a situation that one councillor aptly described as a ‘zero-sum game’—where one club’s gain is another’s loss, and in this case, the most immediate and vulnerable losers are the children. Some families have already begun to exit BAD simply because they can’t wait for clarity. That is the real damage, and it is already happening.
It also remains unclear whether the Request for Proposals (RFP) approach was appropriate for this type of community service. There were hints from many that a negotiated process might better serve the community. As it stands, staff have entered into what appears to be a binding agreement with GHAC, while BAD may well have a legal basis for judicial review in Superior Court. If the City can find a resolution outside of court, it would likely result in fewer losers and a faster path to healing.
Key questions remain unanswered:
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- Why was the RFP process used instead of a negotiated renewal?
- Would renewing BAD’s contract have caused less disruption and harm to swimmers?
- Will the GHAC model result in significantly higher program fees for families?
- Most importantly: if BAD’s application was never opened, how could the City disqualify the bid based solely on a document that does not exist under Ontario’s nonprofit regulations?
Kimberly Calderbank
This last question strikes at the core of the issue. If the rejection was based on a misinterpreted or impossible requirement, it suggests a critical failure in process and oversight. BAD submitted a valid Certificate of Status—the only up-to-date, official proof of incorporation available. Still, their application was dismissed out of hand.
What is at stake is not just pool time, but trust—between the city and its residents, between young athletes and their mentors, and between elected officials and the community. Rebuilding that trust will take time, humility, and, most importantly, action.
The city must act quickly and decisively to mitigate harm and restore confidence in its leadership.
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Holy! If you read the subtitle of the picture, it says “Members of BAD – not looking very pleased with what they were hearing,” but the girl has a GHAC shirt on. . Job well done, Joseph.
This is very thoughtful and seems 100% correct. Why should facilities paid for with my tax dollars be allocated to an out-of-city organization so they can disrupt an important part of the lives of hundreds of Burlington families. At best someone in the city over-thought this one. At worst…
Would never fly in the other Burlington sports I’m involved in.
I have no time of day for the leadership team at BAD. Now that i have cleared that up let’s get down to brass tax. An RFP was put out there by the city. Should that even happen as there are so many different leagues in Burlington for all sports. Hockey has Eagles Bulldogs BLOMHA and Barracudas. Soccer has BYSC, Old Timer Leagues and formally BSC to name just a few. Baseball the same and the list goes on. Pepper as a diligent reporter go dig up the RFPs for those sports. Lets peel back that onion. I am sure the city may look foolish but to be fair are trying to save tax payer money.
I have no time for special interests and people that think their child deserves more than someone else. We are very elitist these days and are willing to pay for it. Wouldn’t it be great if the best could compete against the best and just leave it at that having the city manage it from within. For a city of 200K, how about zero outsiders, 100% Burlington residents and let the chips fall as they may.
At yesterday’s meeting it was said that RFPs are not used for any other sports teams in Burlington. I’m not sure if that is accurate but it was said more than once and even the mayor commented that RFPs perhaps are meant for construction, not sports. Those weren’t her exact words, but something to that effect. I can’t recall exactly how she worded it. We can check the video of yesterday’s meeting, but this topic was given a lot of attention and the use of RFPs for sports was questioned by many.
Mr. Leigh – I truly do not understand your persistent attack on anyone who advances the case of the Burlington DevilRays or finds issue with how the RFP process was administered. This is a horribly emotional and disruptive issue for many Burlington families, including mine, and you seem to totally discount in a disrespectful, almost flippant, manner the damage that has been and will be done. You have challenged Joe Gaetan, Mike Ettlewood, Lynn Crosby and myself as though we were ignorant children. Yet, there is little depth to your commentary – simply an apparent need to absolve the City of Burlington of any blame. Mistakes happen Mr. Leigh and this is a truly devastating one. Please respectfully recognize and respect the honest opinions of others. And stop attributing to me things that I have not said. Until you have the capability to understand the arguments of others, please stop commenting on them.
Mr. Smith. You obviously don’t read very well. I have clearly said a number of times I’m not taking the side of the City or of GHAC.
My comments (or attacks as you put it) have nothing to do with people supporting BAD. I have clearly said on a few occasions in a manner I think was very clear – but obviously not clear enough for you – that all you have to hand as knowledge of the situation is what BAD has put out there for public consumption. GHAC has put out its position by way of a statement which has been published here by The Gazette. That statement casts doubt on BAD’s statements.
Council quite rightly has taken no position, because it did not have all the facts to hand.
My position towards you, Ms. Crosby, Mr. Gaeten & Mr. Ettlewood has been consistent. That position is you cannot possibly have factual knowledge of the City’s actions or itsk position. And yet as at least partially ignorant children you continue to suggest BAD has been hard done by. It may very well have been hard done by but you don’t know that and I don’t know that. Because we do not know all the facts.
Until you have the capability to understand the point I am making and position I have clearly stated, and you can recognize I’m not absolving the city of any blame (at this point in time we don’t know if there is any fault with how the city has conducted itself) please stop commenting on my posts
A couple of questions for you, Mr. Smith.
If as stated by BAD it’s proposal was discarded without even being opened because the required corporate documentation was not provided, how was GHAC able to meet that requirement? One must assume as GHAC was awarded the contract it must have satisfied the requirement.
If the BAD proposal was never opened, how would the City have known that the required documentation was not included?
I think that you have just proved my point.
Bruce your assumption is not correct.
The specific incorporation information that was requested in the RFP as described is not available. It would appear however that the city employee(s) reviewing the did not challenge what GFANZ submitted.
Listening to the interview with the Mayor this morning on CHCH was embarrassing to say the least. The award or intent to award a contract to GFANZ as per the language in the Terms and Conditions provided in the RFP can be terminated, withdrawn etc. This type of construction contract always has these outs. Lawyers love them.
The Mayor has either not read the RFP (You do not have to be a lawyer to understand what is written in this document); is receiving incorrect, unprofessional advice, or is …….. I will leave it to readers to fill in the blank.
Bruce, I have no vested interest in either BAD or GHAC, but am appalled at the insipid approach taken by the City of Burlington’s administrative people. I think Joe Gaetan’s analysis was correct and dispassionate, as opposed to your bologna-fed ranting and raving, but it is not for us to decide.
Joe,
The Mayor and Council at this time should be acting immediately. I listened to the CHCH report and it sounds as if there is a follow up meeting scheduled with BAD on the 15th. Why??
The Terms and Conditions of the yes inappropriate and flawed RFP process give council has that exclusive power.
Based on these same Terms and Conditions the intent to award or however the other group was notified can be immediately retracted/terminated.
Further delay is inexcusable and unacceptable. Council is well paid to make decisions for the community. The longer this travesty is allowed to continue it will cause more emotional pain to young swimmers and further “damage and injury” to the BAD swimming organization.
Shameful.