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Jump in and pull for a county pool

After years of lamenting the absence of a public swimming pool, Hernando County may be ready to take the plunge.

A county Parks and Recreation manager announced last week his department is beginning to set aside money to build a pool, more accurately called an aquatic center, within the next five years. Next to the need to construct more athletic fields, the pool project is the county's top priority, according to department manager Harry Johnson.

Given the popularity of aquatic centers in other places, and the obvious need here, the County Commission should consider making it equally important.

In an interview with the Times Thursday, County Administrator Gary Adams said that with the commission's support, he believed the pool could be paid for and constructed within three years. That upbeat estimate, however, probably will depend on the cooperation of private organizations. Adams says the donation of land in a central, easily accessible area of the county would be an ideal way to get the ball rolling. Beyond that, businesses might be willing to donate professional services or materials. The Times, for example, offered major funding for an aquatic center in 2003, but commissioners at that time did not make it a priority.

The community should be eager to get behind such a worthwhile venture.

Adams astutely envisions the aquatic center as a place for both recreational and competitive swimming. If the pool is large enough, swim teams, which now must juggle odd hours at the YMCA pool in Spring Hill, could train in one area, as could participants in water aerobics and learn-how-to-swim classes, while other visitors also enjoyed the water. Adams also thinks the aquatic center should include traditional park facilities that are family-friendly, including grills and picnic tables. Fees for admission would vary depending on whether visitors bought a daily, seasonal or annual pass.

Because its student-athletes would directly benefit from the facility, the School Board should consider sharing some of the commission's start-up costs for the aquatic center. By paying up front, the School Board might be able to negotiate a better deal for the swim teams that will be reserving the facility for practice and competitions.

The School Board would be wise to put its resources into a county-owned-and-operated swimming facility than to partner with a private group, such as the YMCA, which could be more susceptible to financial pressures if not enough residents buy memberships.

It is remarkable Hernando County has gone so long with no public pool. But now that the population has exceeded 150,000, it is deplorable. The County Commission should make a commitment to filling that void as it scrutinizes the Parks and Recreation Department's budget next month.

[Last modified July 17, 2005, 01:05:20]