To the Editor,
Re: Public petitions for pool access, Aug. 4.
This note is in response to the article detailing the planned closing of Beban Pool. Not a good move. We cannot and should not always do what the ‘bean counters’ recommend, because the health benefits of a pool far outweigh the dollar savings.
I have been involved in and around pools for over 40 years as a facility manager, pool supervisor, swim coach and a pool user. I can assure you that there isn’t a swimming pool in Canada that turns a profit or even breaks even. It is much cheaper to freeze water than it is to operate one pool. I have a question: why don’t we close our rinks for a three- to four-month period over the summer like many communities do? Would this not save money?
As pointed out by several pool users in your article, the health benefits are huge. Because water has both a supportive and resistance factor, for years health professionals have been recommending water therapy as a means of recovery for knee, hip and heart surgery. Aquacize has become a wonderful means of fitness for many adults, especially the seniors. For the young swimmer this activity works the whole body all at one time – aerobically, legs, arms, back and core. Not too many sports can make that statement.
J.P. Hugh SprouleNanaimo