Like the rest of the world, we in Howard County wish you hearty congratulations on your golden performance in Beijing. And thank you for all you've done to spotlight the sport of swimming.

However, we in Howard County are in the dark ages when it comes to competitive swimming. And we sure could use your help.

You see, there are no 50-meter pools -- public or private, indoor or outdoor -- in our entire county. Our public schools don't recognize swimming as a high school sport. Our Recreation and Parks Department fails to offer even one public indoor swim facility.

So when you say that you hope you can do for swimming what Michael Jordan did for basketball, we could use a little of your help in convincing our public officials that building an Olympic-size pool is a worthwhile -- and economically viable -- endeavor. Not just for the investment in our citizenry's health but also for our county's economic health.

Our grass-roots effort has tried for years to make swimming a recognized sport in the public schools, and it has asked that an indoor 50-meter pool/aquatic center be built. We've progressed to the point where the county commissioned an aquatic feasibility study, but we've been told by our Recreation and Parks Department that there is no money to support such a project anytime in the near future.

Mr. Phelps, we are not asking for your money, although, if you're looking for an aquatic investment, we'd fully support and welcome it.

Instead, we are inviting you to drive a half hour to Howard County and testify at the next public hearing on the aquatic feasibility study, which has not yet been announced but should be scheduled soon. Or consider e-mailing your testimony to County Executive Ken Ulman (KUlman@howardcountymd.gov) to tell him how viable such a project can be.

Diane Goodridge

Ellicott City

This letter is also signed by Andy Lazris, Alex Solomotis, Jody Frey and Mike Jacobson as Howard County Citizens for a 50-Meter Pool.

user comments (1)

user milton says...

We are in the dark ages of swimming in Howard County? Are these people serious? I am really sorry that you have to swim two laps in a 25 meter indoor pool instead of one lap in a 50 meter pool, but I don't think that such a problem is worth spending $20 million to cure. Things are tough all over, ya know?

Posted 8:03 PM, 08.28.08

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