WANT OR NEED AQUATIC CENTRE?
Editor:
Wow! 50 or 60 kids using a multi-million-dollar aquatic center and some seniors a couple times a week for exercise (May 16/07 letter to the editor). I can see where it's important at this time to have such a center! My tax dollars well spent on a small minority ¦rnI have been directly involved in the management of three swimming pools “ one outdoor, one indoor and an aquatic center, all in bigger communities than Osoyoos “ and can assure that they are bottomless money pits.
There are several swimming pools in Osoyoos that the public can access. They have rules and regulations and if you abide by them you are more than welcome to use them for a fee.
The new resorts and condominiums all seem to have pools and hot tubs, so who of these people will use an aquatic center? How many private pools are there in Osoyoos?rnThe tourists are here for the lake/beaches and sun. If they wanted to use an aquatic center they will stay in the city.
During the winter season a number of Osoyoos citizens head south and the snowbirds who come to Osoyoos are staying at facilities that have swimming pools/hot tubs. So just who are these people who will be using this aquatic center and making it a self-sufficient facility? (Or a tax drain on our community?)rnIf the town is going to spend money, let it be on lake quality and beach clean-up and improvements. The splash-park would complement the beach and the lake and would be a more equitable expenditure.
As to the comment that there is nothing for the youth to do ¦ Osoyoos has all kinds of activities: try going to Sonora Centre, or join one of the many sports teams, or just be a kid and play with friends. You have a choice of TV and video or just being active in your community. The choices are immense and limited only by your imagination.
Lorraine KolodychukrnOsoyoos
— (OSOYOOS TIMES — June 27, 2007)
[b]SUPPORT SWIM TO FIGHT ALS[/b]
Editor:
On Friday, July 13, our grandson Tim Spindlove will be joining the team of Leanne O'Grady, Christy Huey and Josslyn Dieno in their swim across Skaha Lake in Penticton to raise funds for ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease).
Leanne O'Grady started the Swim for ALS five years ago at age 14 when she was inspired by a TV ad for ALS showing two brothers (both firemen), one of whom had ALS.
ALS is a neuromuscular degenerative disease that attacks the motor neurons that transmit electrical impulses from the brain to the voluntary muscles of the body. This disease can hit anyone at any time “ and after diagnosis, the average life expectancy is three to five years. Equipment cost for families tops $130,000 per patient and many times that amount for nursing and/or home care. ALS claims more lives in Canada than does AIDS.
Our son Les was diagnosed with ALS in September 2001. Born in Penticton in 1965, he grew up in Osoyoos and graduated from Osoyoos Secondary in 1983. He lived a very active life, working in the building supply industry, running for charities, playing his guitar, and hiking and camping. His latest challenge was renovating his home inside and out. Today, he is almost totally disabled, unable to speak, swallow or breathe on his own or even hold a nail.
We are asking for your support by donating to the ALS Society of B.C. on behalf of the swim team. Donations can be made online at www.alsbc.ca and designated for 'Swim for ALS', or cheques can be made out to the ALS Society of B.C., Swim for ALS and sent to ALS Society of B.C., Suite 208 – 1600 W. 6th Ave., Vancouver, BC V6J 1R3. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more.
Donations go towards equipment that is loaned to patients by the Society and also research for a cure. We thank you for your support.
Richard & Sheila HartrnOsoyoos
— (OSOYOOS TIMES — June 27, 2007)
