Katrionna Furness, FHS Graduate.

Courtesy Katrionna Furness

I am writing this message because I recently heard that the City of Fillmore is considering closing the community pool in order to avoid spending the money to replaster it, and future upkeep costs. Receiving this news was very disheartening as the Fillmore Community Pool for me personally has been a huge contributor to my success both at Fillmore High School and at university. I know others feel the way, as many people have a sense of attachment to the pool, whether it be memories of outings with family and friends, or swim team meets. The pool provides a safe, fun environment for the residents of Fillmore to gather in a community setting.

For me the Fillmore pool is where I spent countless hours in high school training with my team, competing, and working as a lifeguard and swim instructor. From working as a lifeguard, I saw the enjoyment both the children and adults who live in Fillmore experienced simply by coming to the pool for recreational swim. The pool was always well utilized by the community, and the swim team. Getting rid of the Fillmore pool would be taking away a fun, recreational environment for the community as well as a space for kids to work hard towards their goals.

I competed on the Fillmore Swim Team and left with four CIF titles, as well as competing in relays with other team athletes, which later led me to swim in college on an athletic scholarship. I am now starting my third year in pre-med, Integrated Physiology, and I consider the experiences and accomplishments I had as part of the FHS Swim Team to be a part of my continuing success.

My understanding is that Fillmore Unified School District has agreed to split the cost of replastering the pool with the city, showing the commitment the district has to keeping it open. However, according to the city, the district is making unreasonable demands as part of the cost-splitting agreement. (See “Aquatic Center Pool Replastering Project Placed on Hold”)

I think this talk of terminating the pool needs to be reconsidered and Fillmore City Council Members and the Fillmore Unified School District need to acknowledge the importance of the pool and work together to guarantee it’s future.