Over the weekend, a lively scene unfolded at the Lachine Canal in Montreal as residents took the plunge into the refreshing waters not just for a cool dip, but to advocate for open access to the city’s riverbanks.
The annual Grand Splash event, organized for 23 years by the Rivers Foundation, drew in a crowd of bathers donning life jackets under a clear sky as the temperature hit 26 degrees Celsius.
Amidst the cheers and splashes, lifeguards kept a watchful eye on the swimmers while children gleefully played in the water, some daringly diving and performing somersaults, others floating on whimsical animal-shaped floats. The atmosphere was filled with joy as parents playfully tossed their kids into the water from the docks.
As residents enjoyed the cooling waters, sentiments of reclaiming public spaces echoed through the crowd. Lachine local Sébastien Pagé described the water as “disgusting, warm, and good” while Catherine Saint-Cyr emphasized the importance of accessible open water for all, especially those without air conditioning.
Traditionally held at Montreal’s Old Port, this year’s Grand Splash partnered with On veut se baigner — Lachine, a community initiative advocating for an open water pool where the Lachine Canal meets Lake St. Louis. Bathers voiced their support for the cause by chanting “open water swimming” along the canal.
Despite initial steps by the borough of Lachine to allow swimming in the area, the project was halted due to cost concerns under the new administration led by Mayor Julie-Pascale Provost. While the City estimated a $500,000 expense for necessary facilities and salaries, the citizens’ group argued that the actual cost would be significantly lower, around $236,000, covering essentials like docks, lifeguard salaries, changing facilities, and signage.
Advocates, including the Rivers Foundation’s general manager André Bélanger, pointed out the comparative cost-effectiveness of providing public riverbank access over constructing a municipal pool, which would run into the millions.
The push for open water swimming and public access continues, with citizens and organizations urging for reconsideration and support from local authorities.
