500 signatures reached
To: Nanaimo City Councillors
Stop the Closure of Beban Pool, Nanaimo!
Recent announcements indicate that the Nanaimo City Council is considering closing Beban Pool for 3 months yearly in order to save money. This would be a costly mistake on many levels. Please reconsider this closure as Beban Pool is essential for many citizens to maintain fitness.
Why is this important?
Given the proximity of our citizens to water play areas (5 lakes and the ocean), it is vital that every opportunity be taken to teach swimming to all in order to prevent drowning.
Given the population of Nanaimo at 90,000+ it is unreasonable to close one of the two indoor public pools. Research into recommendations on pools per population done by the Nanaimo Aquatic Development Society indicated that we should have one pool per 25,000 persons to meet public need. We are not even close to this recommendation.
Given the need for warm water physical therapy for people with disabilities, this pool must remain open to allow fitness levels to be maintained. A three-month hiatus could cause serious deficits in health for many and cost our health care system. Many do not understand the importance of warm water for infants, children, elderly and fragile or injured individuals. According to research published in the Biology of Exercise, the effect of water temperature on the human body and the swimming effort, temperatures of 33 – 34 degrees Celsius are appropriate for these groups. Beban Pool is usually between 27.8°C – 29°C while NAC is 26.1°C – 27.2°C, considerably cooler. At water temperatures below 30C, hypothermia sets in.
Nanaimo City has a contract with its citizens to serve the public. Pools are not here to make money but to provide a service to citizens who support it through taxes. Beban Pool has been a great service to a full life span of users from infants to seniors. It provides lessons, therapy, and fitness training. It is central for most citizens. The staff and users have a bond of appreciation. Many groups rent this pool for training including private swim clubs, synchronized swimming club (Nanaimo Diamonds), Special Olympics, physiotherapy groups, scuba clubs, and kayak clubs to name a few. The Lifeguards at Beban Pool serve as first responders for the complete Beban complex including the ice rink and community center, a vital service to all users.
Beban Pool has allowed for the creation of community bonds resulting in many social connections for citizens of all ages.
To ignore the benefit of this pool to all users is faulty thinking. As citizens of Nanaimo we support our council in creating the best possible environment for promoting health and fitness for all.
Sign the petition HERE and let’s make sure Nanaimo City Council knows how much we need this pool open and how much we appreciate the pool and all the staff who work there.
In addition, please take the time to write Nanaimo City Council at mayor&[email protected] Thank you.