Here in Jersey Shore, we may have to have to fight off another attack on the closing of the Jersey Shore High School Pool. It is probably no different than what is going on around the rest of central Pennsylvania. The Mill Hall outdoor pool is hanging by a thread, Williamsport High School pool is need of repairs (the school board threw out a challenge to raise some money - see here), and the Williamsport outdoor pools are in trouble, here, here, and here.
Although there is some good news as the South Williamsport pool re-opened last year and the Williamsport YMCA is building a new facility, with a pool near the Williamsport hospital, here. It seems that we are all facing very similar issues, closing of pools and promoting the sport of swimming. Why is the local swim community not working together on some ideas to address these issues? At times, it appears everyone is working in a vacuum.
It is about 3 months until the 2012 Summer Olympics start and for several weeks the sport of swimming will get an immense amount of press. What a wonderful opportunity for us (local swim community) to highlight the local swimming scene. Is there a way for the swim community to coordinate some advertisement efforts to let local residents know that the Olympic sport of swimming occurs in their own backyard?
On a small local scale, the Jersey Shore summer swim team is thinking of creating an Olympic swim theme float for the 4th of July parade. Another swim parent suggested that we bring in one of the local radio stations and broadcast at the Bald Eagle Swilm League swim championships. There are some great ideas out there from parents, coaches, and swimmers.
Maybe the swim teams could could work as a league on the newspapers and provide them with a write-up, standings and top times (similar to what they do with the track and field listings on Williamsport's Sunday paper)
Maybe it is time to expand. The Renovo community would love to start up their swim program again (see here) and the Blossurg community just recently updated their outdoor pool (here). No better time to expand when interest is hot!
There are only 3 months till swimming is all over the sports pages. Can we and will we take advantage of it? We are not Little League Baseball nor are we football so we do have to work a little harder and be more innovative in this sport.
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