Ottawa's infrastructure is breaking down. Now this Bells Corners pool will close for the summer

Natalie Patrick and her daughter Rebecca Marion have been lifelong users of the Entrance Outdoor Pool in Ottawa and are upset with the city for investing in new pools when the dive pool in their neighbourhood will be closed for the summer. Photo by Jean Levac /Postmedia

Article content

At only four years old with her floaties on, Rebecca Marion wanted to jump off the diving board at her neighbourhood’s Entrance Pool. 

Article content

Her mother, Nicole Patrick, remembers asking Rebecca if she was sure. 

Article content

Article content

“She goes up there, and she gets on the little diving board, and she looks, and she just jumps in. Then she decides she wants to go off the big one … at four years old,” the Bells Corners resident said. 

Article content

Article content

Then Rebecca, after only a moment of hesitation, climbs and jumps off the big one. 

Article content

Article content

But a lifeguard saw her, with her little floaties, and said she couldn’t keep jumping until she learned how to swim. 

Article content

Her mom says that, after some tears, Rebecca swam as much as she could from four to six years old — even in the wintertime at indoor pools in Ottawa — until she passed the swim test. 

Article content

“She wanted to go to that pool every single day,” Patrick says about Entrance.

Article content

That was 10 years ago. Since then, Rebecca’s been frequenting Entrance Pool — conveniently located just a 10-minute walk away from her home.

Article content

But this summer she won’t be able to jump off the diving board. According to College Ward Coun. Laine Johnson in a Facebook post from June 11, Entrance pool staff have decided to close the diving tank for the 2026 season due its current condition and concerns for safety.

Article content

It’s part of a pattern as Ottawa faces a widening infrastructure gap, with dozens of local pools, community centres and arenas in declining shape without the money to pay to repair or replace them.

Article content

The dive tank at Entrance Outdoor Pool in Bells Corners, which will be closed for the summer because of its poor condition. Photo by Jean Levac /Postmedia

Article content

Entrance’s main swimming pool, which just had accessibility stairs for its swimmers installed, is expected to open on June 29.

Article content

Article content

“Due to the condition and maintenance needs of the dive pool this area will be closed for the 2026 swim season while further investigations are conducted and the best path forward is determined. The main swimming pool will remain open for the summer season,” said Dan Chenier, the general manager of recreation, cultural and facility services at the City of Ottawa.

Article content

Article content

“When they went to open the pool this season, they went, ‘Oh my goodness, it’s way worse than we thought it was going to be.’ The concrete is exposed to the elements,” Johnson said in an interview. 

Article content

“The city’s outdoor pools are by far one of the assets that are struggling the most right now across the board, which is concerning given how important they are as places for residents to cool off, stay active, and enjoy recreation during the summer months,” Johnson’s post said. 

Article content

The Entrance Outdoor Pool will open in late June after accessibility upgrades were completed. The dive tank will be closed for the summer because it is in poor condition. Photo by Jean Levac /Postmedia

Article content

Entrance’s dive tank is just one of a growing list of aging infrastructure in Ottawa.

Article content

In a city council meeting on June 2, numerous Ottawa residents from across the city raised concerns about the deterioration of their community spaces in anticipation of its Long Range Financial Plan.