KROC: Share and share alike

I would strongly disagree with Eric Peterson’s recent letter about the Kroc pool times. I have been swimming at the Kroc since it opened. I swim when my kids are at swim practice with CAST. I have never had any trouble finding a lane to swim in even when there are only four lanes available for open swim. I am usually there from 5:30 to 7 p.m. a few nights a week, and Monday mornings from 7 to 8 a.m. Most times I only share with one other person and we split a lane, unless a third person shows up and then we will “circle” swim. In my opinion this is fairly rare that there are more than three people in a lane at the peak after work times. I would recommend that swimmers understand the concept of circle swimming so that each person is able to do their workout when they arrive at the Kroc Center during peak times.

Working parents would be challenged to get their young children to the pool for practice before 5 p.m. and this is when CAST has the largest groups swimming in four lanes. The older kids who drive get out of school at 2:45 and are able to make a 3 p.m. practice. CAST offers a phenomenal program that develops strong swimmers and good students. Students that swim competitively tend to have above average grades in school and this is advantageous to our community as a whole. With the large number of lakes and rivers in North Idaho, being a strong swimmer is also a safety concern for children and young adults.

I believe that the Kroc Center is an amazing asset to our community, that we all shared in the concept and development of this great place and we all need to share in the use of this community facility.

CATHY GEPHART

Coeur d’Alene