Don't Close The Pool

By CURT CLARK

Published: May 23, 2003 12:00 am

Donât Close The Pool

To the Editor:

I was at the Board of Education meeting last night and several good points were made regarding the proposed closing of the Newtown High School pool. People had been doing their homework and brought out the point that it would not save the town as much money as you might think. I am repeating here what I remember. I think the town officials doing the budget cutting have a responsibility to verifying the facts brought before them.

1. To close the pool without destroying it would mean keeping it full of treated water with the circulating pumps running. The numbers I heard quoted were approximately half of what it now costs. The janitor responsible for maintaining the pool would not lose his job ââ no savings there.

2. It generates money and could pay for itself if managed as a business. I heard it does in other towns. One needs to look at all the money coming in balanced against the money it costs. Maybe the town could look into Park & Rec taking over the running of the pool and charge the high school (and others) for using it. Other towns that do not have a pool would gladly pay to use it if the scheduling could be worked out. It could be rented out to dive clubs and organizations that need to learn water safety and water survival. They also get money from the Newtown Torpedos use, running lifeguard and swim classes, and swim passes for the public.

3. The pool is open to everyone in town that wants to use it. Can the same be said about any other sports equipment or facility? Many seniors use the pool for good health and fitness (low impact exercise) as well as for recreation and a social setting. Children of all ages enjoy the pool and it is a family activity as well.

4. The benefits of having an indoor pool in town are many. It is one of the things that make Newtown such a desirable place to live. It looks like an easy mark ââ until you do the numbers and really think about the whole picture.

Â And please pass the budget this time. Vote Yes to the quality of family life we enjoy here in Newtown.

Ken Moliver

Floral Heights Road, NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â May 17, 2003

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Don't Close The Pool

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