The pool deserves to be a year-round service
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TweetPeople are creatures of habit. In fact, the people of Haines are somewhat captive prisoners of our life here, as travel out is tricky.
Analogy: Over the winter, my family watched quite a few wildlife-rescue shows. A common theme for the animals that had to be kept in captivity was that their enclosures had “enrichment”. It would have been so much easier, and short-term cheaper to just put them in an enclosure with nothing interesting. They fail to thrive without enrichment. They develop maladaptive behavior.
For those who find enrichment through their pool usership, closure for the summer sets these people up for a fail-to-thrive situation, which will have a negative ripple-effect. Elder users benefit from a destination to keep fit as well as perhaps stave off loneliness. Parents with young children get to stave off the “crazies” at home. The pool is a go-to for many kids with working parents for a safe, supervised environment. They will be out walking or biking during high-traffic stranger and vehicle season—again, or very likely in front of a screen. Summer weather often isn’t inviting like the pool!
During the past two years, our mantra has been “protect grandma/pa, and stay safe, and protect the children and don’t be selfish, look out for your neighbor”. Let’s do all of this by maintaining the pool facility year-round. The pool provides enrichment, and it is worth getting to yes.
Thank you,
Susan McCartney
Mother of one Haines Dolphin and HDST Board President
