Re: “Consult public on pool surplus”
It’s always a good idea to keep democracy as participatory as possible, in my opinion.
My wish list for the pool is (in order of most desirable to least):
1) to reduce the amount of chlorine needed,
2) to put in a couple more windows (which don’t even have to be very large) since currently there are only windows on one end,
3) have stronger jets in the hot tub (and one or two that reach the upper back and neck),
4) have a filtered water fountain like the two which are upstairs in the gym area,
5) more sound baffling (especially in the hot tub area where once one person starts yakking loudly, then everyone else has to raise their voice to be heard until the din is almost unbearable),
6) have a shower area close to the pool entrance (unless they are planning on moving the change rooms, it can be unbearable to walk a long, cold, drafty hallway after having a mandatory pre-swim shower), and
7) keep some money in a slush fund for the future (or maybe that should be No. 1?).
I’m an avid swimmer and I know many others who are. The pool is a very important public facility. It serves those with handicaps, injuries, or pregnancies who are unable to do other exercises on land. Aquafit classes area lifesaver for many who cannot do anything else for regular cardio exercise. It is also a social gathering hub which serves all ages and people of all income levels.
I’m very happy that our pool got this grant and is being worked on to improve it. I also know how quickly millions can be spent on public projects. As Al Dawson points out, these improvements need this very important dialogue with regular users who know what makes for a good pool and a bad pool, at least from a user standpoint.
Josh Wapp, Nelson