Heat the pool
Dear Editor,
I have a daughter that has been on the YMCA summer swim team for 6 years now. We have been to many outdoor pools in this area of southwest Nebraska and northwest Kansas.I can't not say for 100% that we are the only pool in that area that is not heated but I feel 98% confidant that it is an accurate statement. These pools are able to open sooner in the year, stay open longer in the season, and stay open later in the day, offering more time for families to get off work, have supper and still get to the pool for a couple of hours.
When I asked about getting heaters for the city pool I was told there wasn't enough business to warrant that expense. I am very pleased to see the city is looking at updating the slide area of our pool but it doesn't fix the 68 degrees the pool is for the first 3 weeks or more of the season. The YMCA team starts their practice right after Memorial Day with a meet that first Saturday. In the past they have had to use the YMCA pool, even though we pay a fee to use the city pool, because the city pool is so cold. Most athletes prefer to use the environment they are going to be competing in to practice in. So to say, "well they can just use the YMCA until the water is warm," is not being considerate of an outside swim team.
Putting aside the swim team and any other little person that freezes using the pool, it only makes sense to me that if we could offer warm water, longer hours and more days, the amount of people using the pool would only increase.
I would like to ask the city council to please consider adding this much needed update to their budget in the very near future for all the young people of summer.
Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter.
Kim Tietz
McCook