Dear Editor,
Misinformation, negativity, blame….We are all feeling emotions due to the closure of our swimming pool. Will it prompt the building of a new facility? And what will it cost us? What is the impact? Is it worth it?
Here is the inside story of the Barrhead Kinsmen Aquatic Centre (and the reason we cannot do without)…
The Barrhead Swimming pool is, and has been a second home to many citizens of the town, county, and other local areas. It has fed many of us with a sense of belonging, a place to feel welcomed, loved, and achieve physical health and mental well-being.
When you walked into the facility, you were greeted from the staff who came to know you personally. What makes the Barrhead lifeguards so special? Many reasons actually… The guards here in Barrhead have a sense of community spirit, love for others and of course a passion for swimming. It isn’t just a job to them. They grew up here. They took swimming lessons, joined swim club, swam 3-4 times a week, and decided to pursue a career. Not everyone can become a lifeguard. First it takes a strong passion for swimming. Next it takes strength of the mind and strength of the body. Then it takes commitment, time and money. Before one can even become a lifeguard, they must first pay almost $1,000 in courses and training out of their own pocket…. And how much time is spent? It takes 96 hrs. of training to become a certified Lifeguard. And a swim instructor? $460.00 and 60 hours of classroom. This doesn’t include the practice and co- teach time. Lifeguards are required to maintain high physical standards. They must swim 50m head up in under a minute, rescue a submerged swimmer from 25m approach and 25m return in under 90 seconds…. Swim16 lengths in under 10 minutes…. The list goes on. So why did they do it? Because they have a profound desire to work with the community, offer lifesaving skills, and benefit from the pleasures of an Aquatic family.
The Barrhead lifeguards were not only responsible for lifeguarding. In fact, their jobs included much more. They were responsible for the prevention of injury, safety of others, program facilitation, teaching aquafitness and swimming lessons to thousands of individuals each year, the public relations, advertising, and the daily water tests and balance of the pool water (pool operations). Employees always kept the water quality premium. Daily water tests ensured that the chlorine, pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and total dissolved solids were all kept within the safe standards. Weekly samples were sent off to be provincially tested and ensured we never had any growth of bacteria or fungi. A pool would not be permitted to function without the regulations set out from the government and health professionals.
The pool is home to many users. Over the course of my career it was my honour to get to know many of the citizens of this community.
The Barrhead Swim Club. A family orientated club, many kids grew up at the swimming pool, spending most of their extra-curricular time at their second home, the pool. Every Monday to Thursday evening children and youth spent hours swimming their hearts out, as the parents met and discussed the next swim meets, the next journeys, and the ever evolving life of the family. Coaches committed time, passion, and an ever enduring love of the water. When I think of the club, I think of warm smiles, hugs, laughter, compassion, teamwork and love.
The Aquafitness classes…. Where do I start…. I first felt my belonging in Barrhead from the ladies I was honored to teach. Some of them came to the pool for over 20 years and relied on their regular exercise and mobility from the weekly classes. They welcomed me to Barrhead, and I was soon able to know many of them by their first name, their life and their journeys. We worked together each week to obtain a sense of physical well-being, continue our healthy path of fitness, to share and laugh together over weekly struggles and accomplishments. Many benefited from the healing power of the element. Nine classes ran from Monday to Friday and there were times that classes had upwards of 30 participants.
Who came to Lane Swim? Your doctors and nurses, lawyers and government officials, your councillors, friends and allies, church leaders, co-workers, and hard working mothers and fathers getting a break out of the day ….
So many relied on the lane swims to provide them with their physical and mental health, their sense of well-being, their sanity… As lifeguards we also had the privilege of spending time with these individuals and getting to know them.
Who took swimming lessons? Your kids, grand kids, family and friends, or maybe your spouse. The Barrhead pool taught approximately 700 people to swim each year. Classes offered included Moms and Tots, Preschool, Children and Adolescents, and even Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Adults. To watch them grow, learn to swim, breath in the water, overcome their fears and embrace water was a joy.
Triathlon training… over the last several years we were privileged in Barrhead to host the Queen of Hearts Triathlon. We saw many new individuals learn to swim, strive for personal health and fitness, and become to love the water. We saw an increase in users for lane swims, and our added triathlon training times. The triathlon prompted many Barrheadians to get healthy, and we saw many local and non-local ladies perform in the yearly event. This year was going to be extra-special; we were going to include men and children. The triathlon club decided to offer this opportunity to everyone in our community. It was a great shock to learn we could not do so in 2014 and we hope to provide this opportunity in upcoming years.
Public swims were a time we saw many regulars and the occasional swimmer who sought for an adventure. The regulars we called “Pool Rats.” These were either families dedicated to outings, the element of water or social events. Kids were given a chance to get out and have some fun on the town in a safe and secured environment. During the summers we got to know many local kids who came to swims daily (either for their love of the water, parents work schedule, or to socialize with friends). Lifeguards got to know these “pool rats” by name and often gave them encouragement or advice on life skills. They soon became part of our aquatic family.
Youth groups, church groups, 4-H groups, local clubs, Barrhead Composite High School, Barrhead Elementary School, Neerlandia School, Fort Assiniboine School, Meadoview, all rented our facility on a regular basis.
Before you focus on the negative, focus on the positive. WE are a community made up of many individuals of many ages, many ethnic backgrounds, many beliefs and values, but we all have something in common, the desire and the need for a swimming pool. Before you say “we don’t need one,” “I don’t swim,” “too much money,” etc… consider this: In many ways, the pool has been the heart and soul of the Barrhead Town and county. The pool was utilized by so many user groups. With teamwork and dedication to our community, we can ensure we will once again have another much needed aquatic facility.
Laura Munroe
