Los Alamos

 As the County once again examines opportunities for funding various capital improvement projects, I implore the County Council to consider resurrecting the Leisure Pool Project.
 

In a survey conducted in May of last year by the American Red Cross, 54 percent of Americans could not swim or were unable to perform basic water competency skills, skills that include the ability to step or jump into water over your head, bob to the surface and float or tread water for one minute, turn a full circle while treading water and locate an exit, swim 25 yards,
and finally be able to exit the water without assistance from a ladder.

 

The survey continues to show that, on average ten people each day die from drowning in the United States. Drowning is the  second leading cause of death in children and the fifth leading cause of death for people of all ages. Parents of half of the non-swimming children in the Red Cross survey said they planned on having their child participate in water activities. 

 

In addition, medical research has found that teaching toddlers to swim by experienced instructors cuts the risk of death from drowning.

 

In the past few years several near drownings have occurred among our local children. Los Alamos Public Schools in conjunction with the County have provided swimming lessons in 4th grade. Only a fraction of the district’s elementary schools plan to participate in the program this spring.

 

The next opportunity children have in Los Alamos to learn Water Safety Skills is in their 9th grade high school PE classes. By that time any student not previously comfortable with the water will have developed a fear of it.

Currently, the Larry Walkup Aquatic Center is unsuitable for young children to learn to swim. It is too deep and too cold. Those who get the most benefit from the exiting pool are serious lap swimmers and high school and club teams. Two years ago the Leisure Pool was recommended by the County Council to progress to the architectural phase of the project. Instead of
giving the green light to start the construction phase of the project, it was decided, for the first time for any Capital Improvement Project, to be voted by the public. This decision disenfranchised an important group in our community: foreign nationals, many of whom consist of families with young children, who live and work in the county and contribute to the tax base, and who were unable to vote.

 

The benefits of the Leisure Pool are numerous. First and foremost, the water temperature would be comfortable enough for children who are learning to swim or for seniors wanting to participate in water aerobics. The splash pad at the entrance to the Leisure Pool is a fun nonthreatening way for young children to become accustomed to the water. The zero depth entrance allows easy access for children, seniors, and the disabled. A central area separate from the toddler’s area is slightly deeper, facilitating lane swimming and various classes.

 

A lazy river provides strengthening activities for seniors and older children as well as practice in maneuvering kayaks. A water slide is accessible to younger children since participants land on deck rather than in four feet of water. And finally, mothers can watch their children from a centrally located hot tub on deck. These ideas were generated by public input. Los Alamos citizens were able to choose their favorite design from a field of three. And architects refined the design even more after receiving additional public comment.

 

This project is not a frivolous wish list. It is a project well thought out and one that should be an essential part of our children’s safety and health.

 

For more information and renderings of the design of the proposed Leisure Pool Google: Los Alamos Leisure Pool design. Then select the pdf 2011.10.17_NEWS_Los Alamos County Leisure, or the pdf Indoor Leisure Pool Feasibility Study. Let your County Council know our community needs this facility.