Dear Council Members,
I am unable to attend tonights meeting however I wanted to make a few written comments expressing my support of Menlo Swim and Sport and the Aquatics programs in general. Although I live in the Willows and Burgess Pool is closer to my residence, I have been a regular at Belle Haven Pool since I discovered it last October. It is a jewel and I really enjoy the grounds and welcoming staff and lifeguards. I have been a member of the Aquafit class since its inception at BH and I do my lap swimming there as well.
It has been crystal clear that the reason that BH pool is not making ends meet is due to attendance, or lack thereof. The lap pool is never full and typically there are one to 3 other swimmers at any time I have gone. When I am doing lap swims, the warm pool is pretty much empty unless an organized lesson is taking place. I presume you have received all the attendance numbers and can do the simple math to see why the pool is not profitable.
It is totally WRONG to blame Menlo Sport and Swim for this problem. For whatever reason, (of which I can name location. social aspects, cost), the pool has not yet been adopted and embraced by the BH community. I believe this is possible but will take time. We already have an experienced and successful and respected operator and it would be tragic to lose them. It will be far more costly and difficult to start from scratch.
I could go on, as I have listened to the past city council meeting and heard the various arguments, but it is my hope that the Council will support supplementing Menlo Sport and Swim to keep this pool open for the community. This gives time for the hyperlocal community to work on ways to introduce programs to their community, and integrate them in with MSSs skills.
I also am in full support of extending Burgesss hours back to include 10:00-3:00. I presume by shutting the pool down, most users are moving over to Rinconada Pool rather than driving further to BH. Its a lose-lose for Menlo Park. Swimming is a community service such as a library, park, etc. Lets support the facilities we have which are well established and not push people away to use other facilities.
Thank you for your time and attention on this matter.
Michelle Furbershaw214 Pope Street650-996-0373
furber@pacbell.net^..^
