Re: Nelson’s Gyro Park pool to remain closed this summer, June 9
To Mayor John Dooley, Nelson City Council, and RDCK chair Aimee Watson:
It is with a great deal of disappointment that the members of the Nelson Gyro Club reflect on your announcement that the pool at Gyro Park will remain closed again this year.
We did not want to second-guess your decision last year not to open the pool as we appreciated the stress that the pandemic had put on local governments, but your decision this year seems to be very short sighted in our opinion.
We would like to point out that Gyro Park pool was the only pool in the area not opened last year. The pool at Gyro Park has been a huge part in the lives of Nelson families for over 90 years and is an important asset to the kids of Nelson, who I would like to point out are our future leaders and voters.
To simply suggest that families can use the aquatic centre is not realistic for many families as the costs may not allow them to do so and Lakeside is a far more difficult option for young families.
We would like to point out that you have had a year to prepare for this year’s opening, and to come to this decision three weeks before the pool was to open is difficult to understand. As with many businesses that have been affected by COVID-19 and staffing issues, we feel that you can possibly review this matter with a reduced schedule in terms of hours or days that would allow the pool to operate and the families of Nelson to enjoy the full Gyro Park experience.
Fortunately, our business community has adapted as opposed to just making the decision to shut down.
Joe Vingo
President, Nelson Gyro Club