By Candi Enman
Staff Columnist
DOVER—
When the Dover City Council, in its efforts to finalize the 2011 city budget, began talks this past spring about the possibility of having to close the city’s swimming pools due to a $400,000 shortfall, it didn’t rest well with local swimmers. The news resulted in a community led movement to keep the city’s two pools - the Jenny Thompson Outdoor Pool on Route 4 and the Indoor Pool at Henry Law Park – open this year and for years to come.
Dover pools are open all year long, seven days a week. “Pool users comprise a broad group, some who come to do laps, for hydrotherapy or for swimming lessons, swim teams and master swimmers; as well as kids who come for summer camps and school field trips,” said Gary Bannon, Dover’s Recreation Director.
The Jenny Thompson Outdoor Pool is the only 50-meter competition pool in the region. Stressing the importance of keeping the pools open, Bannon added, “The pools are a regional draw. They bring people into Dover who also use local services, retailers and restaurants.”
Bannon went on to say, “The city has $4.7 million in assets in these aquatic facilities. To close them would be a loss.”
Dover resident, Terrianne Chambers, swims at the Indoor Pool four days a week. “I began swimming after recovering from an illness,” said Chambers. “Physical health brings a healthy mental state. For me, swimming is as important as breathing, walking and eating.” With her restored health Chambers is currently training for an upcoming triathlon, an endurance competition that involves swimming, cycling and running.
Seacoast Swimming Association is the largest customer of the Dover pools. The association rents aquatic hours at both pools, which serve as the host facilities for the nationally registered swim team. As many as 120 seacoast area swimmers, aged 5 to 26, depend on the Dover pools to practice, train and compete.
The threat of closing the pools became an opportunity. SSA President, Tim Paiva, said “We needed to mobilize to ensure that the pools will still be available for us and open to the public as well.” A meeting of the SSA parents group was held to discuss viable solutions, and Dawn Haines, mother of a 14-year old swimmer, stepped up to lead the effort.
Haines set out to get community support and brought together a cross-section of all stakeholders and pool users. The group, calling themselves Save Our Swimming, got right to work to develop a comprehensive business plan to present to City Council.
Save our Swimming was determined to look at everything reasonably possible to help the city find ways to reduce operating expenses and increase revenues. Discussions also focused on awareness events, fundraisers and grants. One supporter, Peter Markos, donated an initial $5,000 to establish an endowment fund.
On Wednesday, May 26th hundreds of swimmers and pool supporters marched from the Jenny Thompson Pool to City Council chambers to attend the public hearing on the issue. Olympic medalist Jenny Thompson herself, namesake of the outdoor pool, came back to Dover to participate in the march.
City Council members liked what they saw and heard. Community members, city staff and the council saw a partnership opportunity to keep the pools open for the long term. The council voted on June 2nd to save the pools for the next 12 months, with help from Save our Swimming.
At its recent June 23rd meeting, the council adopted a resolution to form an official Pool Advisory Committee that would oversee donated funds and pool policies, and make recommendations to the city. The committee, consisting of seven regular and two alternates, will meet regularly and report to City Council. A member of the council will serve as a liaison to the group.
“We thought we needed to fight city hall,” commented Haines. “We realized they didn’t want to close the pools and that we needed to help them. The real work begins now,” Haines added.
Remarking on the work of Save our Swimming, Ward 6 City Councilor, Gina Cruikshank, said, “when I learned the details and how they were approaching possible solutions, it convinced me that they could help close the budget gap.” Cruikshank continued, “Theirs is a commitment you don’t often see, and that’s the difference between a city and a community.”
Access to the city’s pools is not limited to Dover residents. Community members from throughout the region are welcome and encouraged to take advantage of the recreational resources available to them. To attract more swimmers, fee structures and rental rates have been lowered to make access affordable to more users.
Seacoast swimmers who want to learn more or get involved with Save our Swimming to keep the pools open for future generations may contact Dawn Haines by email at dawn.haines@unh.edu.
For more information about the Dover pools including hours, rates, lessons and schedules, visit www.dover.nh.gov/rechome.htm or call (603) 516-6441.
Photo caption: Swimmers dive in at the Jenny Thompson Pool in Dover. (Courtesy photo)
Staff Columnist
DOVER—
When the Dover City Council, in its efforts to finalize the 2011 city budget, began talks this past spring about the possibility of having to close the city’s swimming pools due to a $400,000 shortfall, it didn’t rest well with local swimmers. The news resulted in a community led movement to keep the city’s two pools - the Jenny Thompson Outdoor Pool on Route 4 and the Indoor Pool at Henry Law Park – open this year and for years to come.
Dover pools are open all year long, seven days a week. “Pool users comprise a broad group, some who come to do laps, for hydrotherapy or for swimming lessons, swim teams and master swimmers; as well as kids who come for summer camps and school field trips,” said Gary Bannon, Dover’s Recreation Director.
The Jenny Thompson Outdoor Pool is the only 50-meter competition pool in the region. Stressing the importance of keeping the pools open, Bannon added, “The pools are a regional draw. They bring people into Dover who also use local services, retailers and restaurants.”
Bannon went on to say, “The city has $4.7 million in assets in these aquatic facilities. To close them would be a loss.”
Dover resident, Terrianne Chambers, swims at the Indoor Pool four days a week. “I began swimming after recovering from an illness,” said Chambers. “Physical health brings a healthy mental state. For me, swimming is as important as breathing, walking and eating.” With her restored health Chambers is currently training for an upcoming triathlon, an endurance competition that involves swimming, cycling and running.
Seacoast Swimming Association is the largest customer of the Dover pools. The association rents aquatic hours at both pools, which serve as the host facilities for the nationally registered swim team. As many as 120 seacoast area swimmers, aged 5 to 26, depend on the Dover pools to practice, train and compete.
The threat of closing the pools became an opportunity. SSA President, Tim Paiva, said “We needed to mobilize to ensure that the pools will still be available for us and open to the public as well.” A meeting of the SSA parents group was held to discuss viable solutions, and Dawn Haines, mother of a 14-year old swimmer, stepped up to lead the effort.
Haines set out to get community support and brought together a cross-section of all stakeholders and pool users. The group, calling themselves Save Our Swimming, got right to work to develop a comprehensive business plan to present to City Council.
Save our Swimming was determined to look at everything reasonably possible to help the city find ways to reduce operating expenses and increase revenues. Discussions also focused on awareness events, fundraisers and grants. One supporter, Peter Markos, donated an initial $5,000 to establish an endowment fund.
On Wednesday, May 26th hundreds of swimmers and pool supporters marched from the Jenny Thompson Pool to City Council chambers to attend the public hearing on the issue. Olympic medalist Jenny Thompson herself, namesake of the outdoor pool, came back to Dover to participate in the march.
City Council members liked what they saw and heard. Community members, city staff and the council saw a partnership opportunity to keep the pools open for the long term. The council voted on June 2nd to save the pools for the next 12 months, with help from Save our Swimming.
At its recent June 23rd meeting, the council adopted a resolution to form an official Pool Advisory Committee that would oversee donated funds and pool policies, and make recommendations to the city. The committee, consisting of seven regular and two alternates, will meet regularly and report to City Council. A member of the council will serve as a liaison to the group.
“We thought we needed to fight city hall,” commented Haines. “We realized they didn’t want to close the pools and that we needed to help them. The real work begins now,” Haines added.
Remarking on the work of Save our Swimming, Ward 6 City Councilor, Gina Cruikshank, said, “when I learned the details and how they were approaching possible solutions, it convinced me that they could help close the budget gap.” Cruikshank continued, “Theirs is a commitment you don’t often see, and that’s the difference between a city and a community.”
Access to the city’s pools is not limited to Dover residents. Community members from throughout the region are welcome and encouraged to take advantage of the recreational resources available to them. To attract more swimmers, fee structures and rental rates have been lowered to make access affordable to more users.
Seacoast swimmers who want to learn more or get involved with Save our Swimming to keep the pools open for future generations may contact Dawn Haines by email at dawn.haines@unh.edu.
For more information about the Dover pools including hours, rates, lessons and schedules, visit www.dover.nh.gov/rechome.htm or call (603) 516-6441.
Photo caption: Swimmers dive in at the Jenny Thompson Pool in Dover. (Courtesy photo)
