Montreal’s Missed Opportunity: Why an Open-Water Pool Could Be a Game-Changer
There’s something about water that captivates us—whether it’s the shimmer of a river on a sunny day or the thrill of diving into cool currents during a heatwave. Yet, in Montreal, a city surrounded by water, opportunities to swim in natural settings are shockingly limited. Personally, I think this is a missed opportunity, not just for recreation but for redefining our relationship with the city’s aquatic identity.
Take Ottawa, for instance. Last week, the Ottawa River’s water quality was rated ‘excellent,’ and the city has capitalized on this by installing docks for open-water swimming. Bathers can now glide through the river with Parliament Hill as their backdrop—a blend of urban life and natural escape that feels almost surreal. What makes this particularly fascinating is how cities like Ottawa, Antwerp, Zurich, and even Paris have embraced this simple yet transformative concept: turning their waterways into accessible swimming spots.
Montreal, however, seems stuck in a debate that feels increasingly out of touch. The proposed open-water pool in Lachine’s René-Lévesque Park, with its $500,000 price tag, has been shelved due to concerns over cost and divisiveness. Lachine borough mayor Julie-Pascale Provost has been vocal about her reservations, citing ousted boaters and financial constraints. But here’s the thing: $500,000 is a drop in the bucket compared to the $55 million it would cost to re-establish the marina—a project Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada has wisely ruled out.
From my perspective, the hesitation around the open-water pool feels like a symptom of a larger issue: a lack of vision for how Montreal can reclaim its waterfronts. Fondation Rivières identified 57 potential swimming sites in the city, including the clean waters off René-Lévesque Park. Yet, we’re still treating our rivers like barriers rather than assets. What many people don’t realize is that this isn’t just about swimming—it’s about reimagining public space, fostering community, and reconnecting with nature in an urban setting.
One thing that immediately stands out is the contrast between Montreal’s dozens of outdoor pools and its handful of swimmable beaches. Cap-St-Jacques, Parc Jean-Drapeau, and Verdun Beach are great, but they’re exceptions. The Clock Tower ‘beach’ at Quai de l’Horloge? No swimming allowed. Plage de l’Est? Still off-limits due to water quality concerns. If you take a step back and think about it, it’s almost as if the city is afraid of its own water.
This raises a deeper question: Why are we so hesitant to embrace what other cities have already proven works? Copenhagen’s Sluseholmen Harbour Bath, Berlin’s Badeschiff, and even Quebec City’s L’Oasis du Port show that open-water swimming can be safe, popular, and transformative. A detail that I find especially interesting is how these projects often start small—a few docks, some roped-off lanes, and lifeguards—but their impact is enormous.
What this really suggests is that Montreal’s reluctance isn’t about practicality but about mindset. The environmental permits are in place, the water quality is excellent, and the cost is reasonable. Yet, the project remains in limbo. It’s as if the city is waiting for someone else to take the first step, even though the groundwork has already been laid.
Summer is short, and Montrealers deserve more than a few scattered beaches. The open-water pool in Lachine isn’t just a recreational project—it’s a statement about how we value our natural resources and public spaces. Personally, I think it’s time for the mayors of Montreal and Lachine to take the plunge. The two-year window on the environmental permit is ticking, and the opportunity to join the ranks of forward-thinking cities is slipping away.
What are they waiting for?
Final Thought:
If Montreal can’t embrace its water when the conditions are this favorable, it makes me wonder: What will it take for us to truly reclaim our rivers? This isn’t just about swimming—it’s about vision, courage, and the kind of city we want to be. Let’s hope someone dives in before it’s too late.
