Dear Editor:
I am writing in response to the letter in your August 31 edition from Joan Kjargaard regarding Yorkton’s swimming pool. I am assuming that the reference to senior citizens not being “recognized” refers to the fact that there is no discounted rate for seniors to use the pool. My concern is that she seems to imply that seniors are not welcome and/or possibly not even allowed to use our pool. She also seems to imply that our pool does not offer exercise opportunities.
As a senior, I have participated frequently for many years in the aquacize programs at the pool. I have also participated in swimming with family groups during regular swimming times. Never has there been any question about the availability of the pool for the use of senior citizens.
I very much agree with her about the health benefits of exercise in water and many seniors including myself attend hour-long sessions of aquacize several times per week year-round. During this past summer, there were 16 sessions of aquacize offered per week, including regular, arthritis and “boot camp” sessions. Everyone participates at their own level of comfort and ability.
Ms. Kjargaard mentions the good work our lifeguards do and I would also like to commend them for their work as aquacize instructors. A bonus of attending the classes is that we have the opportunity to get acquainted with many of the most positive and hospitable youth in our community, whom we would very likely never meet otherwise.
Hopefully Ms. Kjargaard will visit our city again and perhaps join us for an aquacize class.
If possible, I would be pleased if this letter could be passed along to her as she had requested a reply to her letter.
Arlene Tangjerd
Yorkton, Sask.
