Montreal boroughs want to save school recreation facilities after budget cuts

For years, Montrealers have spent their evenings and weekends playing sports at George-Springate Park, next to Pierrefonds Community High School.

However, several borough mayors say provincial budget cuts could mean the end of weekend swimming lessons and soccer matches at facilities owned by schools, like the fields at George-Springate Park.

“The rug has been pulled from under us,” says Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Jim Beis.

The reflex agreement established in 2018 allowed schools to make their sports facilities free during after-hours to local organizations.

In return, the province compensated the schools to cover the costs.

But in mid-December, that funding was abruptly cut.

Beis says families will pay the price, and registration fees will increase if organizations have to pay rates charged by schools.

“If the children don’t have activities to go to, if the elders don’t have activities to go to, they’re going to be more on their electronics,” he adds.

Verdun’s Mayor Marie-Andree Mauger also attended a media conference held by the city today.

“Verdun, like others municipalities across Quebec, doesn’t have its own indoor pool or gyms so sharing equipment makes sense for efficiency,” she says.

LaSalle’s Mayor Nancy Blanchet also pushed for the agreement’s continuation.

“It was a win-win situation. The decision announced in December complicates matters unnecessarily.”

This week, the Quebec education ministry said schools could continue the agreement without provincial funding.

But the borough mayors say doing that would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“It’s not acceptable, once again, to pass on a bill that’s not due to us,” says Varennes Mayor Martin Damphousse.

Valerie Plante says the city is looking for a solution.

“We’re playing fair. So please, please, they have to stop. This is nonsense,” she says.

The agreement will continue until the end of January.

After that, its future is unclear. But Beis says at least one school board in his borough will keep after-school sports going until May.