Watonga residents want a community pool. However, that project is more than just grabbing a bunch of shovels and getting started.
There must be decisions made based on the needs of the town. It must comply with federal, state and local laws. It must be properly designed and located appropriately.
One of the first things to decide is whether the pool is just for recreation, or should it also be able to facilitate rehab and other uses, like water aerobics for seniors and other community members. Basically, what is it going to be used for.
The best way to make that determination is through a survey of residents. Surveys, though, may not reach everyone, or even the intended beneficiaries. Community meetings are another good way to find out what the residents want and take their opinions into account.
Another huge consideration is where to locate the facility. In addition to having adequate space, potential for expansion and access to water sources, it must be where the people who use it can get to it.
That means location, location, location. It would be disappointing to build a public pool that is too far away from neighborhoods where children live for them to ride their bikes or skateboards and scooters to the pool in the summer. It is difficult for civic groups like Kiwanis to arrange transportation that is cost effective and readily available, running routes daily or multiple times a day.
It would seem a property already owned by the city might be a good choice, such as one of the parks. But if a swimming facility is located at a park, how does that impact the current use of the park? Do we want to eliminate soccer or baseball fields? Disrupt walking paths?
All these concerns must be addressed before the other questions can even be entertained, and those questions are just as serious and as tricky to answer.
Residents who are interested in moving the idea of a public community pool forward should begin by considering these few questions and perhaps beginning to compile answers.
Get the conversation started with family, friends and neighbors about what they want and think should be considered where a pool is concerned. Where do they think it should be located? Why?
Then the town can start contemplating the next questions, such as dealing with the costs of design and construction, traffic flow and parking and permitting. All these questions and many more may clarify that there is more to addressing the pool question than jumping on social media and complaining that the town does not have a public community pool.