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Residents urge Person County to pursue public pool as grants and health benefits cited
Summary
Multiple residents and community organizers used the April 21 public comment period to urge commissioners to pursue a public swimming facility, citing safety, health, equity and available federal grants.
Several Person County residents and a community organizer urged commissioners on April 21 to pursue a publicly owned swimming facility, saying a pool would improve safety, provide low-cost recreation and health benefits, and keep dollars in the county.
Speakers during the informal comment period said families currently travel to neighboring counties for lessons and that many residents lack safe, affordable local options. Amanda Hayes Bowman, a Roxboro resident, told commissioners she and her 3-year-old drive to Chapel Hill for swim lessons and called swimming instruction “a fundamental life saving ability.” Theresa Torian said she depends on pool therapy for a chronic condition and that private pools in the county have historically excluded families like hers.
Community organizer Sam Lias, of Down Home North Carolina, said he has knocked on hundreds of doors and consistently heard calls for a public pool. Lias urged the board to prioritize funding and noted several federal funding opportunities, including what he described as a “Thriving Communities” grant through federal programs with application deadlines noted in public comments. Lias said one federal program he mentioned offers awards up to $350,000 for community infrastructure projects; he encouraged county staff to pursue grants and offered organizational support for outreach and applications.
Other speakers stressed public-safety and equity arguments. Kendra Coggins said more than 80 people have drowned in local lakes (speaker provided that figure) and suggested a public pool could reduce risk by creating opportunities to teach swimming. Multiple speakers referenced past local votes and proposals to build a pool that were not funded, and urged the current board to act on residents’ long-standing requests.
Commissioners did not vote on a pool at the meeting. Several commissioners noted the pool would require significant funding and planning, and staff later discussed related capital projects and grant possibilities during the capital improvement plan discussion.
