by Don Peat, Toronto Sun

Toronto public trustees will dive back into the school pool debate tonight.

Trustees are expected to approve a deal that could pump almost $16 million in capital funding into up to 31 pools.

The agreement was hammered out by the board, its Toronto Lands Corp. subsidiary that deals with property, and the provincial ministry of health promotion.

While the deal would allow capital funding to flow to 31 pools that the board had once slated for closure the clock is still ticking to find operating funds for 13 of those pools to stay afloat.

Those unlucky 13 will be temporarily closed at the end of the month and have until Dec. 31 to work out funding.

'LONG-TERM SOLUTION'

Livia Hunter, of Let's Make Waves, said she's happy some pools will be spared tonight but the grassroots group dedicated to saving the facilities is concerned there seems to be no long-term solution to fund the remaining 13.

"I think it's still wrong that (the community) still have to try to find the funding for the 13 remaining pools," Hunter said.

"We're trying to find the financial supporters and partners ... that's all falling to the public and I'm still totally confused to why the city and the TDSB aren't working out a solution. We don't see a long-term solution here."

St. Paul's trustee Josh Matlow said the board has made considerable progress by being able to save the majority of pools. "We came from closing all of our pools to saving most of them and now we've got to find a solution for the remainder," Matlow said.

The pools discussion isn't the only item on the agenda tonight. Trustees will also consider a bid by trustees Matlow and Chris Tonks to ask the education director to report on the feasibility of starting 10 school accommodation review committees this year and 10 next year.

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