NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com.
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To the Editor,
As a daily 5:30 a.m. lap swimmer at the New Canaan YMCA for the past 10 years, I would like to express the concerns of many members regarding the proposed demolition of the Valles Pool.
Hundreds of swimmers rely on access to both pools. Many of us swim before heading to work, and some members even join the New Canaan YMCA from neighboring towns such as Stamford and Norwalk because of its convenient location and early-morning pool access.
The Forese Pool was built primarily for recreational swimming, lap swimming, water fitness, and community use. It complements the Valles Pool, which serves competitive swimming, diving, swim meets, and team practices. Together, the two pools meet the needs of a diverse and growing aquatic community.
Before the Forese Pool opened, early-morning lap swimming was simply not available due to limited pool space. Its addition created much-needed access for working adults and other lap swimmers.
As New Canaan continues to grow, reducing aquatic space seems counterproductive. Demand for lap swimming, swim lessons, water fitness programs, competitive swimming, and diving remains strong.
We hope decision-makers will carefully consider the impact that removing a pool will have on the many members who depend on year-round aquatic access and will explore alternatives that preserve this valuable community resource.
Sincerely,
Magdalena Gorzkowicz
Dear Editor,
The potential closing of the Valles pool will indeed impact all ages in the community. Every age benefits from having both pools; for swim lessons, swim teams, diving teams, water ballet and regular lap swimmers like myself.
Swimming has become a more popular sport for seniors, and the only quiet day at the Valles pool that I have witnessed is Saturday afternoon when both pools are open and the morning classes are over in the Forese pool.
If the roof is the true concern and it’s not the actual pool, then please consider an action plan to remedy this structural issue with a potential campaign to help subsidize the necessary funding to correct this issue and save the pool.
I am surprised that these structural issues weren’t addressed with an action plan before this recent revelation of a potential closing of the pool.
I’m sure the lifeguards will agree that both pools are used regularly and needed. The Valles pool is still a necessity for the many dedicated members of the Y community with membership growing every year. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Kathleen Murphy