Re: Why wait? Parksville pool is inevitable (Letters, April 19).
I am in total agreement with the thoughts of Bertrand Girard and Diane Sharp of Qualicum Beach. Parksville is growing by leaps and bounds and, I think, could easily support a pool.
While taking water aerobics at Ravensong, I found myself part of a huge class, most from Parksville. The class was very large and the extremely crowded conditions in the change rooms made the experience a nightmare. The severe crowding and limited access to showers as well as change space is a major issue for seniors and uncomfortable for everyone. When one or more showers were out of commission, the resulting line-ups were ridiculous, as well the impossibility of sitting down to remove a bathing suit or dry one’s extremities seems unfair to seniors who are doing their best to remain active.
New lanes solve nothing and will further exacerbate the change room/shower issues. Furthermore, the construction itself will restrict use of the facility for the Qualicum Beach population and everyone else who uses the pool. A new pool near the Parksville beach or Wembley (Centre) would enhance the Parksville Qualicum Beach community and I’m sure would be very well-used by Parksville and the surrounding area from Bowser to Nanoose Bay.
Please, RDN, make a wise, forward-thinking decision and build a pool in Parksville. In fact, if you are waiting for the area’s population to grow, you are already too late!
FYI, I am a 73-year-old Parksville resident and know well the issues that seniors — the majority in this area — face using public recreational facilities.
Michelle Ashdown
Parksville