I am writing to support PEFAC in its efforts to obtain the required Council support to continue operations. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan notes the important role of PEFAC in the community and the excellent value for money it provides. At Council September 25, a comprehensive update by Susan Mathieu showed that not only does PEFAC offer excellent services at a reasonable cost, both memberships and daily use have increased significantly — even over this last year of financial challenges for everyone.
I was concerned to hear one Councillor say that somehow PEFAC limits the use of other privately operated gyms. These businesses opened in an environment that included PEFAC, which offers something different than these small gyms. It is indeed an asset which I’m sure many of the young families moving here appreciate.
I was also concerned to hear some “wardism” around the table. This is indeed disappointing to me. I believe that while Councillors represent the concerns of the people in their wards, the good the County as a whole should be every Councillor’s first priority.
In addition to supporting PEFAC’s request to become a Project of Community Interest, I encourage Council to increase its financial support in 2026. About $1.5 million of our tax dollars go to our two arenas. The $70,000 annual commitment to PEFAC can surely be at least doubled. We all realize that next year’s budget is going to be challenging, but, personally, I’d be willing to pay an extra few dollars to ensure that PEFAC has the support it needs. Alternatively, could a small amount which presently goes to the arenas be shared?
Penny Morris, Picton
My husband and I moved to Picton in 2017 seeking a healthy retirement community and a place where our children and grandchildren from Toronto and Ottawa could gather.
We only considered communities with a public pool, given that exercise in water is often the only pain-free option for citizens with arthritis, frailty, and disabilities of all kinds. Those recovering from surgery or cancer can use this precious resource for their rehabilitation. Active elders can maintain their strength with support from qualified trainers and peers.
PEFAC has provided us, not only with critical fitness activities, but a caring community of like-minded people from all walks of life. We now have beloved friends that we see regularly, a critical component of healthy aging.
As a retired health care professional I can only implore you to do whatever it takes to save this incredible community service.
Nancy White and David Falls, Picton
My name is Kurt Letain. My wife, Terri, and I have been attending Prince Edward Fitness and Aquatic Centre (PEFAC) for over six years , ever since moving to Picton. We tried other fitness organizations when we first came, but it was the friendly staff and welcoming members of the PEFAC community that made the decision for us.
We are very grateful for the range of services offered. Having a pool is an important community service since it helps teach swimming, which is so important since we are surrounded by water.
PEFAC’s services are offered 357 days of the year, 15 hours a day through the week and 8 hours a day on weekends. It works for members’ work/life schedules, and it works for our budget, as there are a variety of ways to participate as a member. Most importantly, it contributes to the physical, mental and social well being of members and, therefore, the community. In keeping members healthy, PEFAC helps to reduce the need for already strained health services.
PEFAC is a critical community asset. Of all the fitness facilities we have been members of over the years, it tops the list. It is a friendly, inviting, and well managed. It always amazes us how the management can do all they do given the financial constraints they are under.
The property and the building that PEFAC calls home is up for sale. We understand the reason why and I know that PEFAC (a not-for-profit organization) and its Board are working hard to try and purchase the space. It is crucial that Council designate PEFAC a Project of Community Interest. That will let PEFAC benefit from charitable donations to help with the purchase.
PEFAC has operated its facility for 20 years, covering 92 percent of costs through memberships and programming. For the past ten years or so, the Municipality has provided $70,000 a year to support the pool and community programming, such as public swims.
PEFAC is also facing a significant increase in operating costs. The annual financial support provided by the municipality needs to increase. As PEFAC users, citizens and taxpayers, we support that increase.
Kurt and Terri Letain, Prince Edward County
PEFAC is a critical community asset: it serves all ages, from kids to teens to seniors, and, for me, it is an essential personal asset!
I have been a member for 20 years. There is no other option for swimming in our area, and I feel so blessed to have it. For a county surrounded by water, I think access to a pool and swimming classes are crucial for children.
Belleville is not an option for me since we live in Cressy, over an hour away from the pool there. I also see many of my friends when I visit. They participate in aquafit, and other classes. The monthly fee is a reasonable price for many seniors and families who cannot afford the prices of classes and training offered by other individuals or companies in the County. In many cases, it is the only option.
I get upset when I hear complaints from people who say that PEFAC only serves Picton. That is absolutely not true: I come in from Cressy and I have friends who come from Ameliasburgh and Wellington. That argument does not hold up. PEFAC is crucial for our County.
Barbara Wallace, Cressy
I am very very concerned that we may lose our valued community fitness facility, Prince Edward Fitness and Aquatic Centre, as it is up for sale.
PEFAC is a very important institution in the County! There is nothing like this to support residents. Should it close, the public will lose a pool, which is very expensive to replace. This facility helps keep our mainly aging population fit. It is the only publicpool in the County.
There are so many benefits to keeping PEFAC: swimming lessons for children and adults, free swims, fitness classes, gym equipment, personal trainers, socialization, jobs for youth, and more.
It is a perfect meeting spot to keep everyone healthy and happy mentally and physically. It needs municipal support to purchase the property, and keep this valued asset, that has been run as a Non–Profit for 20 years, alive and well, just like its members.
Nancy Koubsky, Prince Edward County
It’s highly unlikely that any of the medical professionals in our overburdened system would argue against the critical importance of preventive health care, especially in a place with a population dominated by seniors. Physical exercise, along with social interaction, especially intergenerational, are cited regularly for the multiple benefits they provide both to individuals, and to public health. The deterioration of the latter impacts all taxpayers.
I’ve been a member of PEFAC for over 10 years. I’ve taken many guests there for yoga classes and the weight room. My speedy and lasting recovery after a fall fracture came of the regular muscle strengthening and balance training I do there.
The municipality subsidizes the not-for-profit PEFAC corporation by $70,000 a year. That is twice as much as for the splash pad, which serves far fewer than the 1300 members that use it year round. There were 100,000 user visits last year; that number will only increase with the amount of walkable housing that’s densifying the surrounding area.
PEFAC deserves to be designated a Project of Community Interest by the municipality, and to have increased financial support in the interest of maintaining public health.
Renia Tyminski, Picton
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