East Park Pool

Encouraged the county to provide lifeguards to East Park Pool to expand swimming access, keep county lifeguards working, and reduce off-hill driving.

A parent of two swimmers voiced support for keeping East Park open, saying an hour-plus round trip to Española during rush hour isn't workable for working families with young children.

A resident questioned why the county isn't making a serious effort with East Park Pool, calling swimming a community health issue for older adults and asking the county to preserve the option rather than rule it out.

An East Park volunteer and high school team employee said the pool can only open when volunteer coverage exists, asked for certified support, and warned limited lanes squeeze other swimmers.

An East Park member asked the county not to make this all-or-nothing: provide utilities, operating help, equipment, or recruitment support for East Park, and pursue both East Park and the Lucero Center as a hybrid.

An age-group swim coach described daily drives to Santa Fe after the February closure, urged the county to try harder because it's hard — 'maybe that means we should' — and noted prior county heater-equipped outdoor winter swimming at Barranca.

Encouraged partnering with East Park Pool instead of paying lifeguards to commute to Española, raised winter driving safety, lifeguard training programs, and lowering the guard age from 16 to 15.

Encouraged the county to partner with East Park Pool with financial and human resources to keep a convenient local swimming venue open during the renovation overrun.

The high school swim coach thanked the county for its commitment and suggested the county waive East Park Pool's utility bill so the volunteer-run pool can stay open until cold weather.

A retiree swimmer described losing her swim when East Park closed for lack of lifeguards, said cold Pinon Pool was a safety issue, opposed driving to Española or Santa Fe, and asked about expiring swim passes.

A former high school swimmer urged the county to provide lifeguards for East Park Pool, warning volunteers may shut it down and calling swimming a health and safety necessity.

The aquatonics team's secretary echoed support for keeping East Park Pool open, noting taking swimmers off the hill reduced participation and cost the team financially.

The East Park Pool volunteer argued government exists to deliver services and coordinate; the county has budget, East Park has a pool and flexibility, and only two lifeguards for rush-hour sessions are needed — the missing piece is coordination.

Swim parent urging creative solutions to keep local swimming available during the aquatic center delay.

Student who can't drive, asking to keep East Park Pool open so swimmers don't have to travel to Española.

Echoed support for keeping East Park Pool open.

Dive team parent noting East Park doesn't work for divers; her senior daughter has no practice facility with Genevieve Chavez closed.

High school swim/dive coach concerned travel to distant pools cuts into student study time and rest.

Coach and parent urging the county to seriously consider the East Park partnership, noting year-round outdoor swimming is feasible.

Asked the county to assign lifeguards to East Park Pool and fund ~$2,000/week in operating costs while the aquatic center is delayed.