Closing indoor pool
will have far-reaching impact
To the editor:
Save our pool! Rumors are running rampant relative to the Presque Isle indoor pool possibly closing. Please let me address this letter to the powers that be for reconsideration of potential decisions they are thinking of making.
Someone has already written a letter regarding the possible use of the Crow’s Nest as an alternative. That was nixed. Is that merely because it seems like everyone in charge wants “new.” Is it a novel idea to try and save money wherever possible?
This deeply saddens me because obviously these decision-makers have never used the pool and reaped the benefits of same. Business people, students, organizations, outlying communities all recognize the benefits received. People travel from great distances to use this pool, including our friends from Canada. Its health benefits are recognized throughout the community. Medical professionals from all fields agree wholeheartedly, as does my body, on the benefits from the support and resistance of the water. Swim meets are held on a regular basis. Outlying communities participate in the pool programs throughout the year. Lifeguard programs are held regularly. Kids that can barely walk are taught how to swim under the careful guidance of highly trained instructors. How wonderful to watch them grow under the guidance of their instructors. Special Olympics athletes swim year round as a form of exercise and train for their annual swim meet.
Programs are in place for those with special needs and I have watched them grow and learn to love the pool just as the rest of us do. The area high school practices and swim meets hosted at the Presque Isle Indoor Pool. In the summer, the Recreation Department has a summer swim team that practices and holds the County Swim Meet at the indoor pool. Without this pool to hold meets, the summer swim team would be in jeopardy.
So the idea is to close a perfectly good facility, operational year-round, for an outdoor pool. Let me point out that I have a pool. Last summer, I was able to use it a maximum of three days. Even with a good summer, if I get a month of swimming in, it is by shear luck. Two to three weeks would be the norm at best. There’s that novel idea again of throwing us all under the bus. Let’s just spend thousands of dollars on an outdoor pool.
Has anybody taken into consideration the lives and programs being affected by the decision-makers. Sure they could go elsewhere … at what cost. It is shameful that a handful of people have the right to affect and change the lives of so many people of all ages (3-plus to 80-plus).
Here is something else to consider. On any given day, there may be anywhere from 40 to 140 people utilizing the Presque Isle Indoor Pool. Those people pay to use the pool. Without a doubt, these people frequent the businesses in Presque Isle, whether it be to shop, to have lunch or gas up their vehicles. This tells me that a lot of people will be affected by the decisions under consideration.
Alyce Bryant-Reece
Portage
