Residents of a small town in Quebec’s Eastern Townships are unable to swim or play ball this summer due to an insurance issue.
Officials in Frelighsburg, Que., which has about 600 households, were informed this spring that the municipality does not meet the necessary safety standards to allow swimming in the Brochets River or for people to use the municipal ball fields.
This is frustrating news for citizens looking to cool off during the heatwave.
“In Bedford, Stanbridge, Frelighsburg, there are no public pools, swimming spots or splash pads for children,” said resident Sylvie Poirier.
Frelighsburg isn’t far from the Vermont border, about 90 kilometres southeast of Montreal.
Officials say the insurance company cracked down after a visit from an inspector, forcing the prohibition on outdoor fun.
For example, water quality tests of the river should be conducted regularly, which is not currently the case. A lifeguard should also be present at all times to monitor swimmers due to the current.
Now there is a sign on the river’s banks, warning people not to swim.
Ball sports, such as softball and baseball, have been banned because other sports facilities are too close to the ball field, and fences will need to be constructed, officials say. The concern is that soaring baseballs could smack into people playing volleyball.
Popular swimming spot closed
Rodolfo Hevia, a 25-year resident of Frelighsburg, said he learned about the ban through Facebook. This was upsetting news, he said, because he has been swimming in the Brochets river for as long as he has lived in the area.
He remembers bringing his young children to the swimming hole. He says it’s a safe place to take a dip.
“The parents take care of their children,” said Hevia. “The place is so great for people who don’t have access to any point of water.”
Sergey Golikov, director general of Frelighsburg, said the town has been working with the province’s municipal insurance fund, the Fonds d’assurance des municipalités du Québec. It was established in 2022 after taking over the previous provider, La Mutuelle des municipalités du Québec.
The new insurance fund provides casualty insurance, and it is the only property and casualty insurer owned by Quebec’s municipal sector, according to its website.
Golikov said the new provider is stricter than before, sending the inspector to enforce certain standards. The unofficial swimming area isn’t really a beach, he said, but it is a popular swimming spot.
“It’s not really deep, but we still have to have a safety team there to supervise all activities and we are not ready to do this,” Golikov said. “Our budget doesn’t allow us to do this.”
So, he said, the town took action in the interest of citizens’ safety, closing the ball field and swimming area.
“We act in the interest of our residents and taxpayers,” he said. “Safety first.”
Mayor says officials reflecting on issue
Frelighsburg Mayor Lucie Dagenais said officials are still reflecting on what will happen to these recreational areas. She said citizens will be consulted before any decisions are made.
“I understand that people are angry and find it ridiculous that we are doing this, but we are not doing it because we felt like it one morning,” said Dagenais.
“We didn’t wake up wondering what we could do today to spark controversy in the municipality.”
The mayor estimates that the necessary work and staff needed to meet the insurance standards could cost more than $100,000, which she described as a heavy financial burden for the town.