Editor,

Are we really going to let our community pool close? We live on an island, our kids need to learn how to swim.

I am the co-owner of Rue &Primavera Occupational and Physical therapy.

We offer aquatic therapy to the community at this pool. I would hate to loose this valuable program that helps so many people from the elderly to kids. But that is not my only reason for wanting to inspire Whidbey Island to keep this pool open.

I just can’t stop thinking about my own childhood and how swimming was the most important part of my week. How becoming a strong swimmer gave me confidence and a strong body. How knowing how to swim has giving me so much pleasure.

Learn to swim when you are young and you don’t live with the fear of water.

And we cannot set aside how swimming for exercise is one of the best things we can do for ourselves to stay healthy and to counterbalance all the other pounding exercises that we do. Swimming is great for the heart and lungs and easy on the joints.

If you don’t use it yourself think about those around you that do. Think about our veterans, some of who cannot walk but they can swim.

Please vote on Nov. 7 to keep John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool open.

Wendolyn Rue PT

Oak Harbor