Ref;Proposed Aquatic Centre for Princeton and Area H.
Before I express my views on the need for an aquatic centre for Princeton and Area "H",I must first refer to a citizen's letter which appeared a few weeks ago in one of our local newspaper and which took Town Council to task for seemingly neglecting the Town's Fairgrounds in favour of an aquatic centre.
The writer is obviously frustrated by an apparent lack of support by Council, particularly the need for a new fence.But the letter continues by listing all the positive contributions made by the Town to keep the Fairgrounds in operating condition. I am a bit perplexed by these contradicting statements?
The writer is correct in stating that our Fairgrounds are a plus for our community and it is or can be a "gold mine"in community participation and outsider attractions.No one will deny that and ,speaking as an individual, I am sure that the day will come when our Council members will ponder what the next course of action will be required to enhance the value of this asset.
I note with interest that the writer voluntered that she has quit her positions at the PXA and other related organizations for health reasons; which brings me to a second letter which I have just read in the Similkameen Spotlight.
The author is one of our young, new, much appreciated health professionals which we desperately need to attact and keep.It appears that, for now at least, she and her husband will stay in this community, but she is saddened by the lack of indoor recreational facilities, particularly, an aquatic centre.She supports her view by providing the Princeton Local Health Area Profile, dated March 2010.It is frightening.
The common thread to bring down these statistics to within the Provincial Average and to improve the health of our community is exercise.
She closes her letter by stating that;" an aquatic centre is incredibly important to promote healthy lifestyles in our community and hopefully change the number of people who suffer from anxiety, depression,diabetes,cardiovascular diseases and many other chronic conditions".
Returning to the first letter, the author questions whether we can afford an "indoor pool".First of all, it is not an indoor pool, but an aquatic centre complete with all the amenities needed by a community to enhance its healthy lifestile.
Perhaps the author's health would be in better condition had she had the use of an aquatic centre?
This is a bit like universal health care, the Americans say they cannot afford it, we say we cannot live without it.
The question of an aquatic centre for this community is of such importance that I intend to expand on its benefits to the community in subsequent publications of this paper.
John Akerley
Area H resident.