County should build aquatic center large enough to meet growth

Editor:

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Columbia County would benefit by building an aquatic center. There are many programs that a pool can offer all ages, such as water aerobics, swim lessons, year-round teams, masters swimming, diving instruction, Red Cross instruction, high school swim teams, cross training and more.

I have been involved in swimming in Augusta since we moved here in 1996. I have experienced how swimming has grown as a sport in our community. Many high schools have swim teams, and there are three year-round teams.

Also, the pools offer water aerobics, swim lessons and diving instruction. Further, I have seen pools being used for kayakers and scuba divers to train.

I am a coach for both a year-round swim team, the Aiken-Augusta Swim League, and a high school team, Aquinas. The space at the Augusta Aquatic Center has become overcrowded.

Columbia County has continued to grow and as more high schools are built, there should be a growing need for a pool for the high school swimmers to train. Many of the swimmers on the high school and year-round teams are from Columbia County. These swimmers are traveling up to 30 minutes just to get to practice. ...

If Columbia County does build an aquatic center the goal should be to offer programs for all ages and to make sure it is large enough to meet the growing population.

Kathleen Greely

Martinez