Latest news with #aquatics
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
TDSB passes budget for 2025-2026 with plan to eliminate $34.4M deficit
Trustees for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) have approved a budget for 2025-2026 that includes a plan to balance the board's books over the next two years. The plan includes a number of cost-saving measures to eliminate a $34.4 million deficit, including a pause on issuing new Chromebooks for students in the coming school year in favour of recirculating devices returned by graduating Grade 12 students, a news release from the board said. It also includes a $9.5 million spending cut in operating expenses for central departments of the board that will have "limited impact" on services. Fees will also rise for some continuing education programming, the TDSB said. At a meeting in April, trustees heard the school board was facing a $58-million deficit for 2025-2026, with staff looking at a variety of options to balance the budget. Since then, trustees have passed more than $20 million in cuts, resulting in a current deficit of $34.4 million, a spokesperson for the school board said. One of the cost-cutting options on the table was closing school pools the board doesn't lease out, which would have saved an estimated $12.8 million. However that's not happening after public outcry. Pools and aquatics instructors will continue to be available to students and community members for another year, the TDSB said in a Thursday news release. Board staff are working on privately leasing more pools while also working with the City of Toronto on the use of TDSB pools, the release says. The budget must now be submitted to the Ministry of Education by June 30 for final approval.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
TDSB passes budget for 2025-2026 with plan to eliminate $34.4M deficit
Trustees for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) have approved a budget for 2025-2026 that includes a plan to balance the board's books over the next two years. The plan includes a number of cost-saving measures to eliminate a $34.4 million deficit, including a pause on issuing new Chromebooks for students in the coming school year in favour of recirculating devices returned by graduating Grade 12 students, a news release from the board said. It also includes a $9.5 million spending cut in operating expenses for central departments of the board that will have "limited impact" on services. Fees will also rise for some continuing education programming, the TDSB said. At a meeting in April, trustees heard the school board was facing a $58-million deficit for 2025-2026, with staff looking at a variety of options to balance the budget. Since then, trustees have passed more than $20 million in cuts, resulting in a current deficit of $34.4 million, a spokesperson for the school board said. One of the cost-cutting options on the table was closing school pools the board doesn't lease out, which would have saved an estimated $12.8 million. However that's not happening after public outcry. Pools and aquatics instructors will continue to be available to students and community members for another year, the TDSB said in a Thursday news release. Board staff are working on privately leasing more pools while also working with the City of Toronto on the use of TDSB pools, the release says. The budget must now be submitted to the Ministry of Education by June 30 for final approval.
CBC
16 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
TDSB passes budget for 2025-2026 with plan to eliminate $34.4M deficit
Trustees for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) have approved a budget for 2025-2026 that includes a plan to balance the board's books over the next two years. The plan includes a number of cost-saving measures to eliminate a $34.4 million deficit, including a pause on issuing new Chromebooks for students in the coming school year in favour of recirculating devices returned by graduating Grade 12 students, a news release from the board said. It also includes a $9.5 million spending cut in operating expenses for central departments of the board that will have "limited impact" on services. Fees will also rise for some continuing education programming, the TDSB said. At a meeting in April, trustees heard the school board was facing a $58-million deficit for 2025-2026, with staff looking at a variety of options to balance the budget. Since then, trustees have passed more than $20 million in cuts, resulting in a current deficit of $34.4 million, a spokesperson for the school board said. One of the cost-cutting options on the table was closing school pools the board doesn't lease out, which would have saved an estimated $12.8 million. However that's not happening after public outcry. Pools and aquatics instructors will continue to be available to students and community members for another year, the TDSB said in a Thursday news release. Board staff are working on privately leasing more pools while also working with the City of Toronto on the use of TDSB pools, the release says. The budget must now be submitted to the Ministry of Education by June 30 for final approval.
Zawya
03-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Artemis Education appoints world champion Emma Igelström as Director of Aquatics
DOHA, QATAR: Artemis Education, a growing international schools group committed to delivering outstanding, values-driven education, is proud to announce the appointment of Emma Igelström as its new Director of Aquatics and Director of Programmes, Strategy and Growth at Artemex, the dedicated sports and enrichment division for Artemis Education. This marks a major step forward in the organisation's commitment to elite performance, inclusive access, and whole-child holistic development through sport. Part of Artemis Education, Artemex is set up to deliver high-quality enrichment opportunities that go beyond the classroom, supporting students of all abilities through purpose-led programmes. A 5-time world champion swimmer, seven-time world record holder, twelve-time European champion, and Olympian, Emma Igelström made history as the first woman to swim the 50m short course breaststroke in under 30 seconds. Since retiring from competition in the early 2000s, she has focused her career on advancing aquatics and wellness programmes across Europe and the Middle East, with a strong emphasis on youth development, access, and community wellbeing. During her time in Saudi Arabia, she was the founder of one of the world's biggest swimming academies. In her new role, Emma will oversee all aquatics programming, lead strategic development of Artemex's sport and enrichment pathways, and manage the Queen's Qatar Sports Centre, an advanced, multi-sport facility that is also part of the Artemis Education network. 'Joining Artemex is an opportunity to do meaningful work that extends far beyond competition,' said Emma Igelström. 'I'm passionate about opening access, breaking down barriers, and shaping a culture that supports physical and mental wellness. This is about unlocking the potential of every child, every family, and every community we serve.' Andy Coomer, Director of Experience at Artemis Education, stated: 'Emma brings unmatched international experience and a deep understanding of how sport can shape lives. She is a world-class athlete, but more importantly, she is a thoughtful leader and advocate for the power of movement, community, and purpose. We're thrilled to have her join us as we continue to position Artemex as a driving force for youth development, wellbeing, and access to high-quality sport and enrichment programmes.' Commenting on the appointment, Niall Brennan, CEO of Artemis Education, said: 'Emma's exceptional expertise and clear vision will play a key role in showing how sport and enrichment can elevate a child's educational journey. Her leadership at Artemex will support our ambition to create learning environments where physical development, personal growth, and community connection are deeply integrated into school life. At Artemis Education, we are building a model of education that prepares young people to thrive, with purpose, in every aspect of their lives.' With world-class leadership and a clear sense of purpose, Artemex is expanding its reach across Artemis schools to inspire the next generation through high performance delivery, superb coaching and creativity within the community. For media enquiries, please contact: Lauren Fryer, Head of Marketing, Artemis Education: About Artemis Education: Artemis Education is a growing private international schools' group with a mission to improve access to outstanding education. We deliver incredible, whole-child education focusing on academic rigour, and the accredited curricula we offer are enriched by dynamic extracurricular experiences. We concentrate on universal values, individual growth, and holistic development to enable children to realise their full potential, build resilience, and become responsible citizens of the world. Our schools combine best-in-class staff, inspirational facilities, and innovative use of technology that enhances the effectiveness of our teaching. We design the majority of our schools from the ground up, building new-generation campuses. Sustainability metrics are at the core of the design of our facilities and how we operate. We have an ambitious programme to meet the growing demand from parents seeking a high-quality, international education in Europe and the Middle East. About Artemex Artemex is the dedicated sports and enrichment division of Artemis Education, created to provide exceptional co-curricular opportunities that go beyond the classroom. Operating across Artemis schools in Europe and the Middle East, Artemex offers specialised programmes in swimming, athletics, gymnastics, football, music, drama, and public speaking. Each Artemex academy is designed to serve both students and the wider community, with pathways for all ages and abilities—from grassroots development to elite performance. Programmes are delivered by expert coaches and practitioners, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and structured progression models. Artemex also manages flagship school-based sports centres, including Queen's Sports Centre in Doha, and collaborates with Olympic ambassadors to inspire and empower the next generation. All offerings reflect the Artemis Promise: a commitment to personal growth, community impact, and sustainable, inclusive education.
Globe and Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
How luxury gyms aim to reach the next wellness frontier
What was once an expansive garage is now home to a large swimming pool in Ottawa's newest wellness destination – a members-only health and fitness sanctuary that merges self-care and sophistication. Altea Active, a chain of new fitness and wellness centres, opened the pool at its 129,000-square-foot Ottawa outpost in early May, says chief executive officer Jeff York, a former executive at both Farm Boy and retailer Giant Tiger. With high-class amenities such as aquatics facilities, recovery areas and multiple types of fitness classes, Altea Ottawa – which officially opened in November – is redefining how and when Canadians get their sweat on in a postpandemic world. In the year after June, 2022, almost 400 fitness and recreational sports centres opened across the country, according to Statistics Canada. At the same time, fitness industry revenue hit nearly $4.3-billion in 2022, up from $3-billion a year earlier as pandemic restrictions relaxed. It's 'a new day in fitness' across the country, says Sara Gilbert, president of the Fitness Industry Council of Canada. While Canadians once spent money on trips they had postponed during COVID, they've 'turned to themselves again' with a renewed sense of urgency, she adds. The renovation of an old Canadian Tire into arguably Ottawa's most modern fitness facility reflects an industry that has 'always been at the forefront of innovation,' Ms. Gilbert says. 'You look back in the 1980s and we had these huge step-aerobic studios, and that took up most of the space in gyms. The gym industry … our strength is the ability to innovate and always listen to what members need, and the ongoing transition of our facilities to meet those needs.' Altea Ottawa is now Canada's largest fitness and wellness centre. The $30-million facility boasts nine fitness studios (the spin room alone cost $1-million), six pickleball courts, exercise machines of all kinds and zones for emerging fitness-class concepts such as HyRox (the new CrossFit, Mr. York says). There's also a postworkout recovery area with red-light therapy and Hyperice cold-therapy boots, a women-only exercise space, the new 25-metre pool, as well as a smoothie bar and a Starbucks in the lobby. There are four other Altea locations across the country. A fifth will arrive soon in the former 31,000-square-foot Nordstrom Rack in Toronto's upscale Yorkville neighbourhood. The forthcoming location will open under the name of AVANT by Altea Active – the company's ultrapremium offering that's specific to urban areas such as Yorkville. 'We tend to look at real estate as a static thing, but it services a fluid world, and as that world ebbs and flows, change abounds,' says Shawn Hamilton, principal at Proveras Commercial Realty in Ottawa. 'Spaces get occupied with uses we would never have dreamed of.' Unlike other large-scale gyms, Altea's facilities won't be popping up everywhere. 'It's the opposite of GoodLife. We want to be exclusive,' Mr. York explains. 'We are going to [places] where the market is already there for people who want the best. But we want to deliver it at a competitive price where people are still getting value.' Mr. York says Altea's competition are mid-sized fitness studios. If you're a regular at hot yoga, boot camps and spin classes, you could pay upward of $1,000 a month in fees, he explains. Altea offers all that and more in one place – something that is becoming more common across the country. Altea is not the only fitness centre working to redefine exercise culture in Canada. At Toronto's The Well, a mixed-use complex less than a kilometre from the CN Tower, sits the newest Sweat and Tonic – a cheekily-named boutique gym that offers more than a half-dozen classes, personal training, a spa with registered massage therapists, a pool and sauna. The city's Yorkville neighbourhood is also saturated with fitness options, including luxury gym Equinox, Barry's Bootcamp and three GoodLife gyms. 'You've got to be where people live, work and play. That's the key for the future,' Mr. York says. 'You upgrade your facility because that's where the market is going. The murky middle is not where you want to be.' Altea's Ottawa plan was clear from the start, Mr. York explains, with 80 per cent of the original blueprint becoming reality. It eliminated a restaurant and members' club from the plan – the same thing it did at the Liberty Village location in Toronto – because it wanted to focus on fitness. Altea's renovation in Canada's capital took just over a year. A full month was needed just to remove shelves, nuts and bolts from the Canadian Tire for what would become the facility's hotel-like lobby, Mr. York says. The challenges also ranged from laughable – swapping the directions of the old escalators – to serious, such as installing individual HVAC systems in each room and studio. It was a hurdle, but it was a success. Despite the facility's roughly 6,000 members and upward of 350 fitness classes per week, there's a reduction in body odour because of the new system. That work was all taking place on the inside. 'No one knew we were working on it because we never changed the physical structure,' Mr. York says. 'The biggest question was, 'When are you going to start construction?' but we had already started for six months. 'Making a big building feel comfortable is hard to do.' Only 16 per cent of Canadians have a gym membership, according to the Health and Fitness Association, so it's no surprise that fitness facilities in Canada would aim to strike a balance between value and choice. 'Many boutiques under one roof is the way fitness should be delivered,' Mr. York says.
