Montreal Parties Unite to Restore Verdun Natatorium
On October 30, 2023, opposition party Ensemble Montréal announced plans to invest $40 million in the renovation of the Verdun Natatorium. This historic outdoor swimming pool, built in 1940, has faced significant challenges in recent years. The pool’s main building has been closed since 2017 due to structural issues, raising concerns about its future.
The Verdun Natatorium Restoration Initiative
In September 2023, the outgoing mayor of Verdun, Marie-Andrée Mauger from Projet Montréal, also pledged to restore the Natatorium, with an estimated cost matching Ensemble Montréal’s proposal. Transition Montréal has expressed its commitment to preserving the facility.
Accusations and Political Stakes
During a press conference at John-Gallagher Island, Geneviève Desautels, Ensemble Montréal’s candidate for Verdun mayor, criticized Projet Montréal for neglecting the Art Deco structure. Initial plans included demolishing the Natatorium due to its advanced deterioration, a proposal met with public disapproval at an April 2024 session.
In September 2025, Mauger announced a revised plan focused on renovating both the building and the swimming pools, with completion projected by 2032, according to reports from La Presse.
Commitment to Action
At the Ensemble Montréal press conference, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, the party’s mayoral candidate for Montreal, vowed to expedite the renovation efforts while ensuring minimal maintenance of the structure in the interim. She stated that groundbreaking must occur by the end of the current mayoral term.
Other Political Positions
Transition Montréal is also presenting a candidate for the Verdun mayoralty, Christopher Steel. The party has indicated a similar commitment to protecting and renovating the Natatorium, highlighting the importance of its architectural and heritage elements.
- Date of Announcement: October 30, 2023
- Investment: $40 million
- Closure of Natatorium: Since 2017
- Projected Completion: 2032
As the political landscape shifts, both Ensemble Montréal and Transition Montréal are vying for public support on this vital restoration project. Public interest remains high in the future of the Verdun Natatorium, reflecting broader concerns about heritage conservation in Montreal.
