Deathbed Vigil for the West Seneca Town Pool Before Demolition Vote

1250 Union Road,West Seneca NY 14224

29 August, 2022

Description

The West Seneca Town Pool is on the verge of death - it's more bleak and urgent than we thought, demolition funding will be voted on this Monday (Aug 29)!  The West Seneca Swims group of concerned residents will be meeting outside the gate of the pool for a vigil on Monday August 29, 2022 at 5 pm, ahead of the next town board meeting at 6 pm. Please join us to show your support for the pool, after the vigil we'll travel in a procession to town hall for the board meeting. May we find solace in each other and perhaps provide the pool with the will to live! Anyone who is interested in saving the town pool is requested to join us by 6 pm! Although we were assured that a decision wouldn't be up for finalization until October when the budget is proposed, the Town Board is scheduled to vote on the pool demolition funding THIS MONDAY! We'll have a chance to comment ahead of the vote and we need to pack that meeting with supporters of the pool. Our requests are modest and simple: pause plans to demolish the pool and fund it for 2023 to provide residents the opportunity to prove they want to keep this pool by showing up to swim. There is no reason to rush the destruction of this pool! The money for the demolition is from the American Rescue Plan and the guidance is very clear: "the funding is not required to be obligated until December 31, 2024 and jurisdictions have until December 31, 2026 to fully expend their funds."  For 2023, there are simple policy changes that can increase attendance and improve lifeguard recruitment/retention. It could be years before some of the structural improvements need to be made. The town needs this pool and the town pool needs your help.  Please join us Monday at the pool gate at 5 pm. We ask participants to wear funeral attire and to also bring your favorite pool accessories in honor of our oasis. At 5:40 pm, we'll begin a procession to town hall for the board meeting. There will be an opportunity for public comments ahead of the vote on the demolition bid and perhaps we can breathe life back into the pool with passion, sound logic, and some quantitative analysis of the percentage of property taxes that the pool costs (it's embarrassingly minimal, especially considering the benefits).  This is life and death. Not just for the pool - an important amenity which has made West Seneca a desirable place to raise a family - but childhood drowning accidents are on the rise. According to the CDC, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes for ages 1-14 and there has been a consistent rise in child drownings in the last several years. These accidents are typically at home, in pools and hot tubs. Generations of West Seneca kids have learned swimming and water safety in the town pool. In fact, a total of 105 kids can be taught during a single time slot (7 groups of 15 swimmers). Swimming lesson enrollment has never been low and no other pool in town can accommodate so many students simultaneously. Please join us Monday Aug 29, the schedule will be:  5:00 PM: Vigil at the pool gate 5:40 PM: Procession to the town hall 6:00 PM: Town Board Meeting Please wear funeral/black attire and bring your favorite pool accessories.  We'll also be installing a vigil for the pool outside the gates starting immediately through Monday. Please come to the pool and bring along photos, goggles, etc. to contribute to the living memorial, before the pool potentially dies. WORTH REPEATING: The American Rescue Plan Act funds do not have to be obligated until DECEMBER 31, 2024. The money doesn't need to be spent until DECEMBER 31, 2026. The residents of West Seneca - particularly the children - deserve an opportunity to demonstrate their desire to keep the pool in the summer of 2023. (It's also questionable if demolishing a structurally sound amenity is in compliance with the American Rescue Plan Act.)