May 11, 2010
Tuesday PM

With the dearth of indoor recreation opportunities available in Ketchikan, I find it absolutely crazy that anyone would oppose the construction of a new Borough pool. We talk incessantly about how "there's nothing to do.." yet when the time come to construct a facility that everyone - EVERYONE - in the community can benefit from, there are actually opponents! Young, old, athletic, obese, able-bodied, disabled... there is not a segment of our community who could not benefit from a new pool.

Yes, it will cost money. Somehow, we will have to pay for it. As Mr. Kiffer pointed out, the 1/2 cent recreation tax has been going for about 2 years. Dave didn't state how much is in the Borough coffers as a result of this tax, but I would imagine there's got to be something in the "pool fund" which we as a community can use as a starting place. The Friends of the Library have been raising money for quite some time to help fund the construction of a new library; maybe we should start an "Advocates of Aquatics" group to do a penny drive, bake sale, leaf raking.... whatever it takes!

As it stands, our current pool has MORE than outlived its usefulness. I do not even like to take my children there out of safety concerns. A new pool could fulfill the "wish" list of a non-crumbling deck, non-leaking roof, parking lot with better accessibility in particular for people with disabilities, more accessible shower and locker facilities... the list could go on.

Again: YES, it will cost money. Everything costs money. However, this is a project we all can and should get behind as a betterment for our community.

Vicki O'Brien
Ketchikan, AK

About: " Resident of Ketchikan, mother of 3, Advocate for Aquatics!"

Received May 04, 2010 - Published May 11, 2010

Related Viewpoint:

Borough property tax rate By Dave Kiffer

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