The Aug. 17 story about the Camas Municipal Pool (“Camas ponders the future of its beloved pool“) brings up some interesting issues. In 1940 the Camas residents were ahead of their time by establishing a recreational site in the center of the city to call all children and their families for summer recreation.
It is time for current and future residents to invest in this community with an indoor pool center without comparing current needs to the past.
Take a look around the region at current indoor pools that draw communities together. Portland Public Parks has converted or torn down some of their older outdoor pools (think Northwest weather) in favor of indoor pools. Newer large pool centers with visionary communities such as Tualatin Hills, Federal Way, the KROC Center in Salem, and smaller pool centers in Oregon such as those in Canby, Seaside, Astoria, and Oregon City draw many neighbors together. All of these indoor pools house many top swim programs.
Camas’ growth, from 4,433 that supported the current outdoor pool in 1940 to over 33,000 in another 20 years, can support a 21st century first-class pool. We should be finding funding for a year-round indoor pool. It’s time to start the conversation.
