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Home » Exercise Programs » Printed Letters: Jan. 24, 2020 | Letters – The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

Benefits of keeping OM pool open are numerous

In characterizing the Orchard Mesa pool as a recreational niche amenity in your editorial of Jan. 23, you ignore the significant health and safety benefits to our community.

Back in 1922, the citizens and local government recognized that accessible and affordable training in water safety and swimming skills should be available to all but especially the children who were drowning in the river and ditches at an alarming rate. Hard work, cooperation and a generous donation from William Moyer, a respected merchant, resulted in the opening of the Lincoln Park pool.

The health benefits from participation in aquatic activities are numerous and well documented. Swimming builds strength and cardio abilities while improving physical and mental well-being just ask anyone as they leave the OM pool!

I also disagree with your statement that a lot of money is needed to get the OM pool up to snuff. I swim daily at the pool. It is a totally functional and safe facility offering all amenities you listed except a lazy river. It is managed by a highly competent and friendly staff. In the past six years, it has not been closed for major mechanical breakdowns.

In the past few weeks, we have attempted to investigate the rumor of closure of the pool.

As citizens and taxpayers, we have been totally ignored by the city (Parks and Rec) and Mesa County (Rose Puglieses office). Our requests for data have gone unanswered as well as basic questions concerning meetings and even the membership of the Pool Board.

Although I may disagree with many aspects of your editorial, I must state that only The Daily Sentinel and KKCO were helpful in our quest for information and documentation. I respect your commitment to a high level of journalism.

Member, Save the Pool Committee

Sentinel sends conflicting messages on value of pool

I have been following the Orchard Mesa pool issue and Thursday, I read that the Sentinels editorial staff advocated that we need to get out of the pool and accept the closure of the Orchard Mesa swimming facility.

And then I read, with bemused irony, the Sports section, the front page even, which went into great detail about the upcoming state swim meets, and Grand Junction High Tigers practicing to compete, how only three made it to State last year.

If Grand Junction wants to continue to have representation at the state level in swimming, does closing a community pool make sense? Sure, as the editorial staff pointed out, there are still options for swimmers at Colorado Mesa University, Fruita Recreation Center and fitness centers. But are those options for younger swimmers just starting out, especially up-and-coming swimmers in the Orchard Mesa area? Can younger swimmers afford the costs of joining a fitness center just to swim or the hour or more round-trip to the Fruita Community Center? The Orchard Mesa pool is also the closest option for those south of Orchard Mesa towards Whitewater and beyond.

Michael Phelps started swimming at 7 and by the age of 10 had a national record for his age group. Katie Ledecky was the most decorated female athlete of the 2016 Olympic games with four gold medals, one silver medal, and two world records all in swimming.

Maybe the Sentinel didnt mean to send a conflicting message on the same day, but it sure read that way to me.

Orchard Mesa pool far more than a niche amenity

After reading the editorial Time to get out of the pool, I am compelled to disagree that the Orchard Mesa pool is merely a niche amenity. The pool has offered swim lessons, CPR training, exercise programs and many other strong health benefits to children and adults of all ages. Many students ride bikes and walk to the pool. CMU keeps their water temperature very cool for competitive swimming. Not for 60-plus age folks or for ages below 11.

Closing the pool is a huge loss for our children to learn to swim and to practice their skills. Furthermore, many young lifeguards will lose their jobs. Losing Orchard Mesa is a huge loss all around for our Grand Junction community. If City Council and the mayor do not support this valuable asset, I hope our communities will vote them out. Children are the future. We must protect our children. They need to learn to swim to save their own life and the lives of others.

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Printed Letters: Jan. 24, 2020 | Letters - The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

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Home » Exercise Programs » Printed Letters: Jan. 24, 2020 | Letters – The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel