By C. Chapin
It’s about time for members of the community that use the Oak Harbor pool to step forward and see that the board makes definite steps to expand the pool. Now that the Navy has closed its pool, there is a lot more use of our community pool.
If you go in the summer, the water exercise class has to compete with a large number of children taking swim lessons. You can’t begin to hear the instructor. It’s also very difficult for instructors to find enough room to teach their classes, something that becomes very frustrating. They are even trying to teach on the steps that go into the pool. It also limits enrollment.
There aren’t any lap lanes available during the morning classes and at other times there is “circle” swimming as there are not enough lanes to swim in. This often defeats a good workout (especially for Navy personnel) as you catch up with the swimmer in front of you and then can’t go around because of lack of space.
The dressing rooms are very outdated and limited. At times I have had to dress in the handicapped bathroom stall as their isn’t any room in the dressing area. You can’t put a beach bag in the lockers they are so small and their aren’t enough pegs to hang coats on.
Handicapped facilities are really non-existent. What they need to accommodate them is a “warming” pool. A pool that is all one depth and heated to a minimum of 86 degrees. This pool needs to have a ramp so those who can’t get out of wheelchairs can be rolled into the water. (What is available now is a portable standard with straps, something I can imagine would be very embarrassing to use. I have never seen it used.) This can accommodate people with arthritis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, mentally challenged, post surgery, amputations, young children and senior citizens, to name a few.
The parking needs to be addressed. People not only have to park on the street, but some are at least a block away or more. This can be difficult for those who are handicapped or mothers pushing a stroller or who have more than one child. That in itself is enough to discourage individuals from using the pool.
The pool director does a good job with what he has to work with. He really tries to accommodate all the different groups that use the pool.
The community is growing, let’s keep pace with all the needs of the community. As a former lifeguard, and swim and water exercise instructor as well as a competitive swimmer, I know we need to start planning now or individuals (some go there already) will go to Anacortes or give up using our pool.
Hopefully, this can be on the November agenda and that steps can begin for the expansion.
C. Chaplin lives
in Oak Harbor.
