Finding the next Summer McIntosh and keeping Canadians safe in the water is getting harder as pool closures spread across the country.

Municipalities and universities strapped for cash, and neglecting upkeep on aging pools, now face hefty renovation or rebuild costs — or closure.

More than half of Canada’s publicly owned indoor pools are at least 25 years old, and less than half of the country’s 25-metre pools are rated in good physical condition, according to a Swimming Canada report released this year.

“The reason why these pools are closing; they’re not serviced. They are not serviced until they break,” said Swim BC president Jeannie Lo.

Outdoor pools take pressure off their indoor counterparts in summer, but space in the water is about to get tight in some parts of the country.

If

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