Editor: Aldergrove has asked for an indoor pool many times over. The community spoke loud and clear through surveys, open Township forums, via delegations and letters into the paper.
The Township of Langley did not listen, and we are getting an outdoor pool.
We did not ask for a new arena, that was the Township’s idea. From my understanding the hockey community out here loves the existing rink. We also did not ask for a lazy river and outdoor spray park etc. but we are getting all of this.
We simply asked for a proper sized, functioning indoor pool — something that Aldergrove does not have.
Would all the other stuff be nice? Certainly. But not at the price of skimping on the pool.
To appease us we have now been told we may get a cover over the pool and perhaps a heated deck.
This is the Township’s attempt at making us happy, or at least quiet. I can tell you we will not be happy for the seven months of the year when it is cold and rainy. This is not supposed to be a resort pool that is used once or twice in the winter as a novelty; this is supposed to be our go-to, year-round fitness facility.
I can promise you people will not be using it in the cold months and this will lead to the Township closing it to save money and thus making it a seasonal pool from May to September.
The pool needs a proper deep end that will accommodate deck diving as it a component of swimming lessons, plus other deep water activities.
Our teenagers won’t be interested in the pool without a diving board. All this is not in the current plans.
This outdoor pool is not money well spent.
How about putting the lazy river, spray park, outdoor kiddie pool and all the other “goodies” on hold for the time being, and put the money towards a proper fully enclosed pool with walls and a roof?
Hell, at this point we’ll even take the roll up garage door style walls like Walnut Grove has.
When the Township presented the final plans at the Kinsmen centre many people were told by councillors and staff this pool would be fully enclosed in the near future when the funds became available.
That appears to have been a lie.
There are three more Township budgets before this pool is due to be finished, I would say that is more than enough time to allocate the $7 million dollar shortfall to pay for a proper indoor pool.
Begin construction now, with the design plans reflecting room for it to be an indoor pool upon completion. Make room for the necessary electrical and HVAC, etc.
Please do not waste taxpayers’ money on this ridiculous outdoor pool. Aldergrove has waited far too long for this pool; now give us what we deserve.
Stephanie Watson,
Aldergrove
A waste of money
Editor: I am a longtime Langley resident, and ever since it was announced that an outdoor pool was going to be built, I have been furious.
What a waste of money.
Surely those who made that decision haven’t done their homework on the number of Canadian children who don’t know how to swim for various reasons, including swim lesson classes being filled and the costs associated with lessons.
Just go to both of the existing indoor pools on a weekday evening or weekend morning to see how busy it is.
Imagine how many more kids are turned away because space is filled up.
Both of my kids, aged 11 and 12, know how to swim. I have them in a private Langley swim club and they are very strong swimmers. I tell my kids that one day, they may need to save a child from drowning and they should be thankful that their parents gave them the gift of swimming.
I wish that every child was able to get that gift. It should be made mandatory in all Canadian elementary schools.
Langley is a rapidly growing community and our indoor pools are becoming overcrowded. We desperately need to think about another large recreation facility. I don’t believe an outdoor pool is the answer.
Wendy Bedard,
Langley