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By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK, Times Staff WriterThe Town 'N Country school wants a better relationship with the community that sends a large number of students to it.
WESTCHASE - Alonso High School principal Sandy Bunkin came to Westchase this week seeking use of the community's heated swimming pool for the school's swim team.
But perhaps more important than securing practice lanes three times a week for four months, Bunkin said she wanted to smooth relations with the community that provides a huge chunk of her student body. She came with two Westchase parents and the school's athletic director to help.
"There's been history between us in our attempt to be neighbors," she acknowledged, as she asked the Westchase Swim and Tennis Committee to consider her request.
"And that's a shame, because we think very highly of Alonso," committee chairman Don Costello said.
Some of the tension arose because of the school's use of the community's unheated pool in 2001. Problems arose with the students and coaches abusing the privilege, which eventually was revoked.
"I don't know all of the gory details, but I know enough to be here tonight," Bunkin said, noting that she has dismissed the people who did not get along with Westchase leaders at the time. "Whatever has happened, I have put it in a box and am ready to move on."
Committee member Nathan Lafer suggested that relations were not as strained as it may have seemed. The dispute happened a long time ago, he said, and decisions made in a meeting room don't necessarily sour the pot for what goes on outside.
Westchase sends its children to Alonso and supports it, Lafer said.
He proceeded to oppose the school's use of the pool, as he did four years ago. Lafer argued that residents pay for the pool, whether they swim there or not, and they should not have to sacrifice their usage because the school swim team fills it up.
Alonso High, which opened in Town 'N Country in 2001, did not offer to pay for the pool time, and when asked, Bunkin said it wasn't in her budget.
Lafer also worried about liability issues related to having the students practice at the Swim and Tennis Center on Countryway Boulevard.
"I really have a tough time explaining to the residents that we are doing this," he said.
Others on the committee did not share his concerns. Costello suggested that Westchase should be a good neighbor, just as Alonso proposed to be.
The primary worry arose at the persistent questioning of a local television reporter, who asked whether Westchase should be welcoming more young swimmers to its pool even as it remains under investigation for the death of 8-year-old Kiana Appleby in May.
Westchase Community Association president Jim Mills said the association has chosen not to make drastic changes to its procedures and policies until it has a full report from the medical examiner and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office regarding the girl's death.
The Medical Examiner's Office has sent tissue to Boston for a heart-related test, and might not have results for another month, operations manager Dick Bailey said.
"I would offer to you that it hasn't stopped Alonso from coming before the committee and requesting the use of the facility," Mills said, refusing to comment further on the situation.
Bunkin later said she empathized with those involved in the Appleby tragedy, having herself seen a student-athlete die at her campus last year. But, she added, she regretted that her simple request got tangled up in the incident.
Regardless of whether Alonso gets to use the pool, she said, her main goal was to improve ties with Westchase.
The committee voted 3-1 to forward the request to the full Westchase Community Association for its July 28 meeting.
If approved, Alonso swimmers would begin practicing at Westchase on Aug. 1. If not, the school will look to Copeland Park, near the University of South Florida, as an alternative.
- Jeffrey S. Solochek can be reached at 813 269-5304 or solochek@sptimes.com