To The Editor,
I am writing in response to your recent articles about an Aquatic Centre in Princeton. I am a huge proponent of an indoor Aquatic Centre both as a community member and a health care professional in this community. My husband and I moved to Princeton about 2 years ago. I was quite concerned at the lack of indoor recreational facilities. My husband and I quickly decided we would not stay in Princeton more than a year. Now, at the end of our second year living in Princeton, we have fallen in love with this town and plan to stay here for many more years – but it is still missing an Aquatic Centre. What about other young couples who don’t even give our town a chance because of its lack of facilities? I believe we are losing potential health care professionals and community members due to our lack of an Aquatic Centre.
The second reason that I strongly believe we need an Aquatic Centre is the health of our community. Take a look at the prevalence of these diseases in Princeton compared to the provincial average:
Princeton British Columbia
Anxiety/Depression 32.7% 22.6%
Diabetes 9.9% 6.9%
Cardiovascular Disease 10.4% 5.0%
Princeton Local Health Area Profile, March 2010.
The common thing recommended to prevent/improve all of these conditions is exercise. Some studies have shown exercise to be equal to, if not better than, antidepressants for treating mild to moderate depression and anxiety. For some people with diabetes and certain cardiovascular diseases they are able to stop their medications with lifestyle changes – this means increasing exercise!! Many more people will be able to PREVENT these illnesses by increasing their exercise. 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 Disease and many other chronic medical conditions.
Tanya ter Keurs