I support and endorse the comments and concerns raised over the pool issue
by Lois and Priscilla. The dialogue should continue. If we want a pool
bond to pass, we should not be trying to refute or dismiss legitimate
concerns as self-interest and personal bias. Passage of a bond requires a
variety of voices speaking throughout the community. Why attempt to
silence some of your strongest potential advocates?
The strongest arguement I can think of for an indoor pool is that it could
be used to teach every child in the school system, (and beyond!) how to
swim. My son has lost two friends/acquaintances to drowning. The very
night the pool committee was presenting its report to the city council, a
driver's ed instructor was informing a group of parents that he had lost
more students to drowning than he had to car accidents. Three days of
swimming instruction in fourth grade, or a week or two in September, is not
enough. Children need, and deserve, to learn a basic survival skill. If
that skill also leads to lifetime fitness activity, all the better.
Instead of making a blanket statement that all indoor pools lose money,
couldn't we look at why those pools lost money and learn from their
mistakes? I'm hearing from many people that the money is not the issue -
they truly want something that will not just meet but anticipate the needs
of our community. A hybrid pool could rally some very articulate
supporters, willing to put their time and energy where their mouths
(keyboards?) are. I've seen how hard some of these folks can work. You
really want them on your side. Please don't drive them away.
Laurie Danahy