Brunswick residents want a public pool. Here are the pros and cons.
The beach is a great place to spend the day, but weather, rip currents and other hazards mean it’s not a great place to swim.
Many residents in Brunswick County want a public pool. The Dinah E. Gore Fitness & Aquatics Center, located on the campus of Brunswick Community College in Bolivia, is the closest option. While it offers an indoor pool, it does require a membership, and it’s more than a 20-minute drive for many residents.
When Southport began working on its parks and recreation master plan, an indoor pool was high atop the wish list. A pool also topped the list when Oak Island surveyed its residents about parks and recreation facilities last year.
Despite being one of residents' most requested items, pools have not made it into town’s parks and recreation master plans.
Here are pros and cons of building a public pool.
Pro: Makes swimming accessible for everyone.
In a county bordered by water to much of its east and south, swimming is a necessary skill, and nonprofits like the Jack Helbig Memorial Foundation are working to bring swimming lessons to children. A public pool would increase the number of people served by those programs.
Pro: Improves convenience to low-impact exercise.
A significant portion of Brunswick’s population is older than 50, which means high-impact activities like running and certain sports aren’t good solutions for everyone. Swimming is one of those low-impact exercises that help older people stay fit without putting stress on the joints.
Pro: Offers excellent opportunities for recreation.
Indoor or outdoor, a public pool would provide great recreation opportunities. For many, it may just offer a place to swim after a long day or work or school. But it’s also a great place to throw parties, host classes or activities, and be social.
Con: Pools are expensive.
Building a facility, particularly an indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool with locker rooms and showers, will cost millions. That’s a big chunk of a municipality’s budget. Then after the pool is built, there are upkeep, maintenance and staffing costs.
Con: Pools are a liability.
While pools usually conjure visions of children splashing around and having a good time, they can be dangerous. Wet concrete or flooring can be a fall risk, and with water, there’s always the chance of drowning or injury.
Con: There may not be enough return on investment.
With parks and recreation facilities, the object is not making money; it’s to improve the quality of life for residents. That means the pool would have to be used enough to warrant the cost of construction and maintenance. Many communities have pools for their residents to use, which may limit the number of visitors to a public facility.
Solution?
Residents are urging municipalities to “team up” with Brunswick County, Brunswick County Schools and each other to make public pools a reality.
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This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Brunswick residents want a public pool. Here are the pros and cons.
