Dear Editor:
While the debate rages on over whether to build an aquatic park in Liberty State Park, I must take exception to the comments by Nikki Sirken that Jersey City has plenty of swimming pools for residents and that adding another one at Liberty State Park or anywhere, is unnecessary.
Each school year we scramble to find adequate pool space for our swim team before the practice season begins November 15, and each year we pay thousands of dollars in pool rental fees and force our student-athletes to wait for hours after school for an available pool. Ms. Sirken asserts that the city has “10 or 11 pools,” but fails to mention that only one public pool, Pershing Field, is regulation size for competitive swimming. The vast majority of public pools in Jersey City are outdated, turn-of-the-century relics that cannot seriously support high school or age group swim programs. To complicate matters, the city and state sat idly by as the outdoor pool in Liberty State Park was shut down a few years ago. Can you imagine the uproar if Jersey City had only one regulation basketball court or one regulation baseball diamond?
While I believe that Liberty State Park is probably not the best location for such a large-scale aquatic facility, I urge Mayor Schundler, our city council and the activists defending the park to work together for a common solution that preserves our precious open space and gives our young people increased access to aquatic activities that our suburban neighbors now enjoy.
Jeffrey J. Jotz
Assistant Swimming Coach