Your pool is still broken, but the legislature looks good
You know, sometimes I think we collectively forget that the Alberta Legislature Grounds are supposed to be more than just a place for our elected officials to, shall we say, *engage in spirited debate*. For those of us who grew up here, it's a genuine public space. A place for picnics, for skating in the winter, for strolling through the fountains in the summer. It's a place where you take your out-of-town relatives before heading down to the Muttart Conservatory or over to the High Level Bridge for the best view of the River Valley at dusk. Except, if you had plans to cool off in the legislature pool, you've been out of luck for a while now. A *long* while.
Honestly though, it's been two years since that $20-million overhaul of the water features was announced. Two years. And the legislature pool, a centerpiece of those grounds, remains closed for repairs. It's just one of those things that, as an Edmonton resident, you kind of shrug at. We're used to the cold, sure, but a functioning public pool isn't exactly a luxury item. It's a nice amenity. A place for kids to splash around after visiting the Royal Alberta Museum. You wonder if maybe they're just waiting for another deep freeze so they can convert it into a skating rink again. It certainly feels like it.
### What This Means for Edmonton
* **Public Access:** It’s a missed opportunity for families looking for free, accessible recreation downtown. * **Taxpayer Dollars:** $20 million is a lot of money to spend on something that still isn't fully operational. * **Summer Fun:** With the Fringe Festival just around the corner on Whyte Avenue, tourists and locals alike could really use that splash pad.
Edmonton doesn't need your approval. Never did. But a working pool would be nice.
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