Our community is currently developing plans to replace the failing Mountain View Pool. Pools have a history of providing wonderful programs for kids, and we certainly need that here. But I’d like to put in a plug for seniors.

As you may know, Port Townsend has a large and growing aging demographic. I believe we have the oldest population in the state.

According to the 2010 Census the median age is 55.9 (up from 47 in 2000) and 24.5 percent were over 65 years of age.

The pool must be designed and scheduled to meet senior needs. It improves balance, keeps us moving, despite joint problems, arthritis and  surgery. (As my knee surgeon told me, when you have arthritis, which is endemic in our older population, it is crucial that you exercise in water, which supports your joints, keeping them from grinding bone on bone, so you can strengthen your muscles to do the work of holding the joints apart). For our aging population, pool exercise is critical.

In summary, it will be important to create a pool of sufficient size and varied depth to meet the needs of a large number of seniors in our community who depend on aquatic exercise for their quality of life.

Barbara Starr
PORT TOWNSEND