Last week, St-Lazare council formally acknowledged that it would support and participate in an initiative to build an indoor pool in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges area.

The gesture served as a reminder of an opportunity lost. Three years ago, during the last municipal election campaign, the plan to build a pool in St-Lazare was front and centre. The former mayor was elected after making the promise to build a pool if provincial grants could be secured. He was elected, the grants were secured and the project proceeded. But then a fractured council started playing politics. The plan was eventually derailed.

The need and desire for a pool still exists, though. But the grants are no longer there. The opportunity was missed. So now, participating in a project to build a pool in the region – not necessarily in St-Lazare – is back on the table.

If you travel the province, as I do, going from hockey tournament to hockey tournament, you see all sorts of sports facilities in a growing list of little towns. It’s quite amazing.
The services offered in athletic complexes speak directly to a community’s standard of living. They provide each resident an opportunity to invest in their heath.

Residents don’t want to travel for these services. They want them in their town.

St-Lazare council should work at putting its petty politics aside and invest in the infrastructures that will serve it population.

It’s happening in other towns: In September, a massive multi-sport centre opened in Vaudreuil-Dorion. Last week, Dorval announced it was about to issue a call for tenders for an $18-million sports and aquatic facility.

What sports facilities would you like to see in your municipality? Add your comments below.

Brenda O’Farrell