I have heard and read a lot of comments about the availability of swimming pools in Cañon City and would like to explain what I have learned.
After 54 years, (stretched from a 25-30 year life expectancy), Icabone pool has only 1-2 years of use left. There is no possibility for inexpensive repairs (for details click here). In 2019, Rifle rebuilt a similar style pool, bathhouse, and mechanical room (nothing fancy) with the passage of an 8 million dollar bond. If Icabone pool would be similarly rebuilt, estimates put the cost at approximately 10 million dollars and that would require voter approval to increase the rec. district mil levy (which has never been increased since its inception in 1965) to pay that amount.
I have seen comments stating we don’t need this pool because there are other pools in Cañon City.
Here are the facts:
Elite Fitness has a small indoor pool with a posted capacity of sixteen people. It is not intended for kids or teens. They are only allowed with an adult member at a cost of $6 each time. The pool closes at 3 pm Saturday, all day Sunday, and most holidays.
First Choice Fitness had a pool that permanently closed over one year ago.
St Thomas More has a small indoor therapy pool with a current maximum capacity of seven people. This pool’s priority is for physical therapy patients. It offers a very limited number of 30-minute water wellness classes to seniors only, Monday-Thursday. Seniors are only allowed to use the pool during these class times. Silver Sneakers is not accepted, and a monthly fee is required.
There are two clothing-optional hot springs pools located 15-20 miles away. Admission starts at $15. One pool does not allow kids.
A common comment regarding the rec. center is: “We only need a pool–not all the other amenities.”
But I have learned pools require a lot of expensive upkeep. They normally do not make money. Because recreation centers offer so many activities, meeting rooms, classes, etc. they bring in more participants than just pool-users, so more income. In addition to admission fees, the recreation center brings in money from groups such as school districts paying to use the pool for swim lessons and swim teams for students.
Financially, an indoor/partially covered outdoor pool at this recreation center is a better investment than an outdoor pool which can only be used about three months out of the year.
How a community decides to invest its money is a reflection of how it values its people.
Do we value our kids enough to provide a year-round pool so they learn to swim–a literal life-saving requirement in this river town?
Can we pay it forward to our future citizens even if we don’t know them–just as others have provided for us?
I think this community deserves a family-oriented recreation center located at the stunningly beautiful and historic Abbey. It will be a source of pride for us and will attract quality professionals, families, and businesses who want to be part of a caring community.
I’ve read many articles about why we “need” the proposed overpriced new rec center. My comments are about why we don’t.
My major concern is the price tag. I just moved here a few years ago and I was shocked when I got my first property tax bill. In just four years, my taxes have almost doubled. This proposal will only add to the burden. This is especially hard on seniors with fixed incomes.
Also, I don’t believe some of the talking points about why we need this. I didn’t move here because of a recreation center. Does anyone really believe that would be at the top of the list of why anyone would move here?
If you want people to move here, where do you expect them to live? The housing market is slim now and what is available is ridiculously overpriced.
Ruth Strong,
Cañon City
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October 16, 2021 at 12:43AM
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Letters to the Editor: As ballots hit mailboxes, debate over recreation center continues - Canon City Daily Record
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