Bring me your screaming children, the sweet smell of over-chlorinated water and even your floating Band-Aids. I don't mind. That's right – I am a fierce defender of the public pool.
Nothing is more relaxing to me than a cheap swim on a cold day. In Squamish, I'm not alone. On a Saturday afternoon, a pregnant friend and I slowly dog-paddled in the lap lane rather than risk a kick to the stomach in the crowded main pool.
The truth is though, Brennan Park Recreation Centre could use a lot of things. A little more space is just one wishlist item. Over Christmas I had the opportunity to visit Canmore, Alberta's Elevation Place and left feeling inspired and a little jealous.
The 77,000-square-foot facility, which opened in 2013, features a massive pool complex with a slide, lazy river, steam room, spacious hot tub and two swimming areas.
Let's not stop dreaming at a bigger pool. The centre also has an arena, a space for childcare, a cafe, library, art gallery, weight room and cardio centre with studio spaces for group fitness classes.
Even more impressive? As soon as you walk in it's hard to miss the beautiful climbing facility with 45-foot walls for top-roping and lead-climbing and 1,500 square feet for bouldering.
Canmore has a population close to 14,000 and according to their 2016 budget, over a third of the town has a membership to the centre.
How much does it cost to be a member? To access the entire facility based on a recurring monthly payment, the cost is $57. For just pool access, a single adult pays $42.
At Brennan Park, prepare to pay $70 a month.
Ouch.
There are probably home workout rooms in Squamish more impressive than the handful of machines adjacent to the pool.
It goes without saying that the staff and programming at local district facilities are great – but you can only work with what you are given.
Of course, it's not quite that simple. Whether you have a membership or not at Elevation Place, I'm guessing Canmore taxpayers must be feeling the costs of the $39-million facility.
This isn't meant to shame Squamish either. We're the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada – not the Indoor Recreation Capital of Canada. But it certainly says a lot about a place to invest in a community hub that brings arts, recreation and learning together.
When the time comes to reconsider what Brennan Park could look like – let's dream big – the possibilities are amazing.
