In 1963, construction began on a new housing development in Dollard-Des-Ormeaux named Elm Park.

The neighbourhood’s affordable land, tranquility and proximity to the newly built Autoroute 40 attracted many young families.

While Elm Park was still in development, residents started organizing year-round activities including sports leagues, youth groups, community events and much more for the neighbourhood to enjoy. To manage these many activities, seven residents formed the Elm Park Recreation Association in 1965: a non-profit volunteer-run organization.

To provide a communal gathering space for everyone in Elm Park, EPRA worked with the city of Dollard-Des-Ormeaux to acquire land in the center of the neighbourhood for $1. This land would become the neighbourhood park and the site of the outdoor pool. Thanks to the important contributions of J. Austin Lambert, William J. Kelly, David William McEwen, Geoffroy W. Bridges, Jack Maloney, Vernon Gariepy and John B. Kerr, Elm Park transformed from a housing development into a vibrant community. Without these dedicated volunteers, Elm Park Pool would most likely have never been built.

On June 17th , 1967, Elm Park Pool opened its doors and has been an integral component of the EPRA’s operations and the neighbourhood’s spirit ever since. As many of the Association’s other activities shifted to city-wide programs over the years, the pool has remained its core service offering to the community.

For nearly 60 years, the EPRA and Elm Park Pool have proudly served to create a community experience that feels like a family. As the pool’s programs, services and events have expanded over time, bringing people together has remained our core purpose.

We are grateful to our great Members, volunteers, staff as well as to the city of Dollard-Des-Ormeaux for their continued support in building the Elm Park Community.