Iowa City keeps future in focus during difficult decisions

I love to swim. I have been using the Iowa City pools for decades. My children spent many afternoons at the pool in City Park, and I regularly swim laps at Mercer and Robert A Lee. I found it very difficult when all the pools were closed due to the pandemic.

I am sure that maintaining and staffing three aquatic centers is very costly. I have occasionally found myself alone in the pool with two or three lifeguards watching over me, and know that the fee I pay doesn’t come close to covering the cost of my swim. I appreciate the city’s commitment to keeping the pool available.

The new Recreation Facilities Master Plan calls for the closing of the Robert A Lee pool, upgrading the City Park pool and expanding Mercer Park Aquatic Center. It is sad to see the downtown pool close, but I trust our Parks and Recreation Commission and the Parks and Recreation Department. It is their responsibility to look toward the future and make difficult choices.

Rebecca Bergus

Iowa City