The following information comes from the McDowell Mountain Aquatic Center. A family of four can buy a pass to use everything at the center, pool, lap pool and gym. The 600-foot lazy river is closed. The cost would be $140 if bought before Memorial Day, and would be good every day till Labor Day. This year that’s 68 days at a cost of 51 cents per day per person.

Can you imagine what would happen to the four health clubs in our town if our aquatic center has a gym? Peaks Athletic has a pool. McDowell Center has some of the same equipment, machine weights, dumbbells and cardiovascular. Just like our clubs. Is this how we reward the businesses who have been loyal to our town?

The McDowell Center told me they get about 75-100 people per day during the week days. About 400 people per day over the weekend. However, attendance drops considerably in August. They employ about 30 to 35 during this 68-day summer season. August only lap pool and gym are open during the week days.

The other five months they are open they employ 20 people, for the gym and outdoor lap pool only.

Pay 35 employees for a eight-hour day. Only $10 per hour would cost $2,800; that’s without taxes, insurance and cost of all overhead and operating expenses. It will shock you even if you get 400 people per day at $2 each -- that’s only $800. How many thousands of dollars do you want our town to lose?

I would not oppose only a pool at our high school, providing the budget could afford it. Also, if there were not more important things needed for our children’s education.

Next letter: The Money Pit!