Several town councillors feel a proposed bylaw to regulate pool enclosures is “overkill.”
John Brennan, for example, said he understands the need for the legislation but certain provisions go too far in an attempt “to protect people from themselves.”
He said he does not see the value in requiring a fence around temporary inflatable pools, and suggested the ladders for those pools could simply be removed to address safety concerns.
“I don’t think we can legislate common sense,” Brennan told council.
Councillor Ken Chapman agreed and noted both parents and pool owners should share the responsibility of ensuring children don’t fall into pools.
“You can legislate to such a degree that no one wants to leave the house,” Chapman said.
But Rhonda Buck, the town’s building and planning administrator, said the idea of changing the bylaw is specifically to include temporary and inflatable pools.
“There is a liability issue for the township,” she said.
She added the town’s position has always been there must be fences around pools; and inflatable or not, temporary pools are still pools.
It’s easy to slide over the walls of many inflatable pools, she added.
Councillor Barb Tocher wondered about compliance when some inflatable pools cost just $350 but the fencing could be as high as $2,000.
Buck replied most pool manufacturers place warnings directly on packaging saying purchasers should follow local municipal bylaws.
Mayor Rod Finnie said parents should indeed watch their kids, but there are times when that’s not possible.
He said the town has to exercise caution where risks exist, particularly in urban areas where kids can wander into their neighbour’s pools.
Brennan said a fence is not going to stop a 10-year-old kid from getting into a pool if he really wants to do so.
Tocher said that may be, and some adults may not comply with the bylaw, but it is up to council to ensure safeguards are in place.
She said Buck should bring the bylaw forward for council’s consideration at a future meeting – with improved verbiage that makes it clear inflatable pools are indeed included.
