Rec center pool plan doesn't make sense

The Batavia Park District together with civic organizations and school officials are endorsing the proposed recreation center referendum on the November ballot. The primary reason for their support is based on the lap pool in the recreation center.

A lap or exercise pool is just that, a lap or exercise pool. This one will be 25 yards long but only 3-4 feet deep at the ends and 6 feet in the middle, to reduce the wave action of the swimmers. A lap or exercise pool does not allow any diving, which eliminates any competitive swimming events.

Only swimmers who can swim the entire length are, generally, allowed to use the lap or exercise pool. With the depth at each end, swimming lessons would be difficult for small children. Parents who swim would not be allowed to bring their young children into it. Even aquatic exercises could be difficult to organize with swimmers in the lap lanes. Lap or exercise pools are not family friendly.

I have used modern lap or exercise pools and to be fully available to all people, these newer lap or exercise pools have access for the handicapped. I have been in pools that have a ramp running down the length of the pool that provide access to wheelchairs, walkers and other appliances. In reviewing the park district website and pool, there is no shaded area by the pool to indicate a ramp is in the planning stage. Granted the drawings are only concepts, but what exactly are the voters in Batavia voting on in November?

This referendum must be defeated. The whole proposal is a concept that might change after the election, and for $20 million I prefer to know what I am voting for in November.

Jack McCabe

Batavia