Steinbach city council has agreed to open the aquatic centre on two more statutory holidays. The pool has traditionally been open on Canada Day, the August Civic Holiday, Labour Day and Remembrance Day. Council recently asked the administration to do a report on additional holiday openings. The report was presented Tuesday, prompting councillor Susan Penner to move that the pool be open on Louis Riel Day and Victoria Day but closed on Remembrance Day.

"The pool is a service we provide to the community and I've heard many times over the past years that, particularly on Family Day (Louis Riel Day), there's a lot of interest in the pool being open as well as Victoria Day. I think it makes sense that we open those days. However, Remembrance Day, if we look at the numbers, there's not a significant demand on Remembrance Day so I think we should close Remembrance Day. It's also a nice gesture, given the nature of the holiday. I think city facilities should be closed on that day."

Penner says having the pool open on Louis Riel Day and Victoria Day will add some costs to the budget but adds it's worth the money to enhance services for taxpayers.

Council was unanimous in approving the new plan.