KENILWORTH – At least one Wellington North resident has been left disappointed after a plea to exempt their open pool from fencing was effectively denied after a township review.
Last year, Mayor Andy Lennox and councillors Penny Renken heard from a resident living on a larger property with an open pool who wanted an exemption made after they were found to be in contravention of the township’s swimming pool enclosure bylaw.
The mayor and Ward 1 councillor met with the unidentified resident, explaining the need for a consistent bylaw, and that the township wasn’t interested in taking on someone else’s legal risk related to their pool.
“I’ve gotta give them credit,” the mayor said of the person. “They did a lot of leg work and tried to look for other municipalities [which] had some exemption criteria.”
Although some residents want the township to introduce exemptions like surrounding municipalities – Mapleton, Centre Wellington and Guelph/Eramosa provide for committee-based exemptions to otherwise required pool fencing – Wellington North is sticking to the status quo.
Drowning risk
A staff report to township council on June 3 recommended doing so, citing the risk of drowning, particularly when it comes to children.
“Research shows that four-sided pool fencing could prevent seven out of 10 drownings to children under five years of age,” states the staff report, authored by chief building official Darren Jones.
Wellington North requires a permit for pool fencing, and according to Jones, his department issued 120 such permits last year.
Complaints against property owners without pool enclosures last summer were resolved by the property owners, Jones wrote in his report.
He also noted “no drownings in privately-owned swimming pools” were reported by Wellington North Fire Service.
Clip-on fencing is permitted by the township for some above-ground pools, but ladders still need to be fenced off. Hot tubs don’t need fencing, but require a rigid cover when not used.
Unanimous decision
Councillors Sherry Burke and Steve McCabe voiced support at last week’s meeting for staff’s recommendation against providing exemptions to residents.
Renken said she felt “sorry for the residents,” but later voted in favour of not providing exemptions.
Councillor Lisa Hern was absent from last week’s meeting.
“Unfortunately, I’m afraid the property owner’s not going to be happy,” Lennox said.
Council voted unanimously in favour of keeping the township’s bylaw the way it is.
