Why We MUST SAVE SOU Pool!
The loss of SOU's pool leaves Southern Oregon aquatics programs at risk.
Without the SOU pool, all aquatics programs in this area take a major step backward or simply cease to exist. Once the facility is no longer available, a domino effect will start to tear down our area’s aquatics. If the pool doors close, the decline will be immediate and severe. For a healthy region of our size, youth aquatics facilities and programs without the SOU pool’s availability would be woefully inadequate. Here are some of the foreseen consequences if the pool should shut down.
Ø The community loses an economic and cultural asset. Ashland’s many recreational opportunities, restaurants, hotels, retail, grocery, fuel, and other shopping will no longer benefit as athletes and spectators will no longer attend SOU’s aquatic events.
Ø Competitive swimmers throughout the valley will not have a training pool where racing starts do not violate USA Swimming rules. Due to recent rule changes, other local pools do not meet the current minimum depth rule requirements.
Ø The largest local aquatic event, the Shakespeare Invitational Swim Meet, annually draws hundreds of swimmers and their families to Ashland. It’s the major fundraiser for a youth swim team, and an economic benefit to our area, and without the pool at SOU, will be an event of the past.
Ø In modern swim meets, the athletes are electronically timed. There will no longer be a facility south of Eugene or Bend where USA Swimming can sanction an electronically timed swim meet.
Ø Medford, Ashland, Eagle Point, Phoenix, Talent and Central Point… have thriving aquatics programs. There will no longer be a facility that supports legitimate high school swim meets and water polo games.
Ø Community US Masters Teams will no longer have a meet facility.
Ø News media would lose an interesting and popular local event to share with their audience. Many highly successful aquatic athletes merit attention.
Ø High School aquatics participation will decline due to difficult and time-consuming travel for meets, tournaments and practice.
Ø High School aquatics participation will decline due to lack of media coverage, and declining performance.
Ø If local high schools can maintain their teams, there will be less opportunity for the economically disadvantaged students because the costs of participation increase (travel, meals, practice facility travel and fees).
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