Proposed aquatic center breaks down barriers for people with disabilities

I have the best memories of growing up and playing at Brooke and Heidi’s house. They are sisters who grew up in the same Swartz Creek neighborhood as me, and there was nothing better than walking down our street to go visit them, especially on a warm summer day.

The fact that their family had a pool was a bonus to an already great friendship. Those warm summer swims remind me of how much I enjoyed being in the water. 

But then Multiple Sclerosis happened to me 26+ years ago, and unfortunately, it progressed to the point that I no longer can walk. 

Walk on land, I should say.

Water is incredibly buoyant and even though my gait is not the best in the pool, I still can take steps. Those steps are so powerful and empowering, and they remind me that my hope is not gone. Yes, someday I may walk again.

My husband, Dan, and I do not have a pool at our home, but I’ve been fortunate enough to use either the pool at physical therapy or at Central Michigan University. Both were great options while I was undergoing PT treatment or attending graduate school at CMU. But, because insurance limits the number of PT sessions I can have each year and I graduated with my Master’s 11 years ago, neither one of these options is available to me right now.

Neither is any other kind of public swimming available for any other member of the mid-Michigan community.

This is why I was excited when someone floated the idea of an indoor community pool here in Mount Pleasant. An accessible pool that anyone in our community could use? Tell me more!

Community aquatic center up for 2/27 vote

It turns out, area voters will decide in a special election on Tuesday, February 27, whether to approve a bond proposal for an indoor community aquatic center right here in Mount Pleasant. This state-of-the-art facility would offer a full range of aquatic activities for community members of all ages and abilities, with a multi-purpose pool for education, recreation, and competition, and a warmer water therapy and teaching pool to support health, fitness and rehabilitation.

Yes, of course, this would be accessible to me and other people who have physical disabilities. I would have year-round access to a pool: water that would support me and improve my health and fitness, not to mention boost my confidence and well-being. 

Such an aquatics center is long overdue for our mid-Michigan community, which is void of any sort of a swimming facility that is open to the public. Among all the features, this community aquatics center would include:

• A 25-yard stretch pool with 8 lanes, with another 4 lanes on the other side of a moveable bulkhead
• A second, warmer water pool for teaching, therapy and rehab with in-water bench seatingStadium seating for events
• Locker and changing rooms
• Flexible meeting and classroom space
• Ramp, stair and lift entry to support access to all

See what I did there? Yes, I totally called special attention to the feature that had me at hello.

The Mid-Michigan Aquatics Recreational Authority – a joint venture with the City of Mount Pleasant, Union Township, and the Mount Pleasant Public School Board – is on to something with this aquatics center. It truly could be a game-changer for all members of our community.

Will it cost money? Sure. An estimated $6 per month for a homeowner with a house valued at $150,000. Here’s the thing: it also is estimated the center would generate nearly $1.4 million of annual economic activity by attracting people to the community for competitions and events. This includes spending in hotels, restaurants, gas stations and other stores.

As for me, a person who no longer is able to walk, I have a difficult time putting any kind of price tag on the potential of having year-round access to an aquatics center that will make it possible for me to stand and walk.

This is why Dan and I believe the proposal for the indoor community aquatic center is worth it for us and our community.