Dear Editor,
The Staff of the St James Pool is back at work and sorry for all the rain and cold weather that has made our opening week full of early closures and rained out swimming.
Our guidelines for opening the pool are both weather and patrons. If the temperature is below 70 degrees-we don't open, and if we do open and have no more than 20 people swimming, we cannot afford to pay our staff, so we have to close, even though the day may be hot and bright.
These are not easy things to have to do to our public or our lifeguards, so please work with us. Call, if the weather is bad, and make sure we are there. Call if it is sunny and make sure that others have joined in the swimming. Our number at the pool is 265-3353. If we are closed, there will be a message. If we are open you will get a real, live, person to answer. We have a great returning staff this year, one that is highly qualified and willing to teach you to swim, keep you safe, and be there for a good time swimming.
The James Foundation pays the bills for the pool, the St. James Park, where the pool is, the Memorial Library, and Maramec Springs. Each one balances the other, and if we have to pay extra lifeguards, without any income from our pool, then we have to lay off workers in other parts of the system. St. James has these luxuries through the James Foundation, not from any personal or city taxes or funds of any kind. And yet, they have to work within a budget that comes from the numbers that are read in far away New York City, where all they know of our enthusiasm for their gifts is indicated by our participation. Lucy Wortham James wanted her town of St. James to be a priority of the James Foundation, but she valued the hard work and effort of the citizens, before she would simply give money. Let the James Foundation know how you feel about all they do for us. Call (265-7124) or stop by the office on Bourbeuse Street. Applications for swim lessons and season passes are waiting there.
We need a new pool for our town, and yet we are trying to give you the last few moments of what we already have. Help us in keeping it alive for one more season, and help us also in finding the resources to build one that won't be subject to the whims of rain and sun. As the pool surveys of public opinion are being tallied, we find there is a very strong agreement that a new pool should be year-round and have heat so that swimmers can be comfortable all the time. Don't get mad at the existing effort, we are doing all we can. Do think about what St James could use for all its citizens to have water for health and sport.
The effort to rebuild the pool is happening. We have a Pool Committee researching design, needs, and money. We are near completion of a feasibility study, paid for by the James Foundation, and done by Stack Engineering of St. James. A new pool is in the works, now keep kicking and breathing.
Johanna Corn
Assistant Mgr. and Swim Teacher, St. James Pool
Chairperson, the St James Pool Committee
johannacorn@msn.com
