The Cowichan Aquatic Centre will be open for four hours on Family Day, from noon until 4 p.m.
The opening is being made possible by a donation from the Canadian Union of Public Employees, local 358.
“I think this is just a great thing by CUPE to do this. It’s really appreciated,” said North Cowichan Mayor Jon Lefebure. “It made it happen.”
Years ago the facility had been closed on Family Day, the municipality citing the high cost of running the pool on a statutory holiday.
It’s then that CUPE stepped up and offered to help pay for operations on that holiday.
“We’ve done this for several years,” Lefebure noted. “This is the kind of relationship we want with our employees and the union that represents them,” he added. “I just think it’s great.”
Should North Cowichan receive a provincial grant, as it did last year, the user fees would be waved on that day.
Otherwise there will be a fee for use that day, noted corporate services director Mark Ruttan.
Multiple councillors encouraged the mayor to write a letter to local 358 expressing council’s gratitude.
Lefebure was pleased to comply.