As a fifth-grader at Lewes Elementary School, I strongly encourage everyone to vote yes for the Cape Henlopen School District referendum Tuesday, March 26. There are so many reasons why this would benefit students and the community, especially the proposed aquatic center! As a swimmer, I have seen firsthand how much we need this new facility.
First and foremost, water safety should be a top priority in our community. Due to us living at the beach, it's critical that everybody knows basic swimming skills and water safety. I feel fortunate that I learned to swim at an early age and am a strong swimmer now, but many kids my age are not! Right now, families must register and pay for classes outside of school in the very limited pool availability. For many people, the time and cost is a problem. I interviewed my peers and teachers in school and the general consensus was that they really want to learn how to swim better. One student replied, “I don’t really know how to swim, so I don't feel safe or comfortable at the beach or at pools.” As a follow-up question, I asked if water safety classes were more available would they be interested in taking some. A fifth-grade student responded, “I would definitely do these classes! It would make me feel much safer. I live at the beach and I want to enjoy it and not feel scared or afraid of it.” If the school district had a proper aquatic center, it would have the space to provide water safety instruction for students and the community.
Another reason I believe everyone should support the aquatic center is because of the recreational and fitness activities it could provide. I swim at the YMCA in Rehoboth several times a week, and every time I go for swim team practice there are usually at least three different activities happening at once in the pool. Between swim team, water aerobics, lap swimmers, swimming lessons and recreational swimming, there is never enough space. The Y has such a packed schedule that there isn’t available pool time for other aquatic activities such as water polo, diving, underwater rugby/hockey, and much more. The YMCA doesn't even have a diving board, so most kids in this area are never introduced to diving as a sport. Many high schools and colleges across the country have diving and water polo programs, but we do not have the opportunity to pursue those sports.
The lack of an aquatic facility in our school district limits the safety and opportunities for children in our community, but we can change this! So, on behalf of students, I urge you to please vote yes for the referendum March 26.
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