The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2026 07 13 Public Input - Additional information provided by Claire OBrienAIN � r .._ :4�:1.11: Key Points The Pool isn't just Recreation, it is Healthcare Options that the Commission May Be Able to Consider Example of what another City did Please read and consider :4 CLAIRE OBRIEN 480 Lanark St Sanford, FL 32773 407-415-0587 oclaire99@gmail.com July 13, 2026 TO THE CITY COMMISSION OF WINTER SPRINGS WATER THERAPY IS IRREPLACEABLE: For seniors with multiple health conditions or osteopenia, exercising on hard land causes pain or.injury. IT SAVES THE CITY MONEY LONG-TERM: Keeping seniors mobile and independent means fewer falls, fewer emergency calls, and less strain on local social services. Investing in the pool actually prevents higher community costs later. IT IS A COMMUNITY LIFELINE: The therapy pool provides vital social connection. Isolation is dangerous for seniors, and the pool keeps members connected and mentally active. HEALTH BENEFITS OF THE THERAPY POOL FOR SENIORS • Preserves Mobility: Warm water reduces joint pressure, allowing pain -free movement to maintain independent living. • Protects Bones: Provides safe, impact -free resistance training crucial for managing osteopenia and preventing osteoporosis. • Prevents Falls: Water exercise builds core strength and improves balance, directly reducing costly emergency hospital visits. • Speeds Healing: Promotes safe rehabilitation for seniors managing chronic pain, arthritis, and multiple health conditions. • Reduces Isolation: Serves as a vital community hub, combating senior loneliness and improving mental well- being. This Pool is not just recreation - it is preventative healthcare that saves the City money. Cont.: The group in the picture on the front is only a part of the folks that use this pool. The question was proposed to us whether we, the members of the Winter Springs Senior Center, would be willing to pay more than we are paying now to keep the pool open. 1 can't speak for all, but I am pretty sure most of us would do that. However, what amount would keep it solvent has not been conveyed. After looking at the budget, 1 conclude that the budget is a disjointed sum of 174ish pages which makes it difficult for the average person to understand, and I think if we are going to contribute more, we should have access to a simple budgeted profit & loss for the pool only. We would all more than likely consider higher rates if we could understand where those funds are spent. We understand the pool is in arears, but closing the pool is not the only answer. There are some partnership you can enter into which would help support the pool along with a small increase in the fees to members. Attached you will find a pages of suggestions the Commission could consider looking into along with AARP and AMAC. Offering weekly group sessions and one-on-one classes with our physiotherapists, read how this type of exercise can benefit your health — and who knows, you might be signing up for a class by the time you finish reading! Rehabilitation of injured muscles As you enter the warm water, your muscles immediately become relaxed and pain is eased in your joints. When you come into contact with the water, your body temperature rises which increases blood flow and improves circulation. Low impact exercise The exercises performed in the water are all low impact, which means many people are suited to enjoy this form of exercise, including the elderly. Even those with reduced mobility find a special kind of freedom once they're in the warm water. The pool reduces stress and pressure on joints, which in turn limits the pain, after a hydrotherapy session. Weightless exercises, like water jogging, arm raises, and side stepping are carried out as low impact sessions, to get the heart pumping and blood flowing throughout the body. Reduces stress and pain As you perform movements in the water, under the supervision of one of our Karingal Green physiotherapists, you will be helped through every step and movement to make sure you maintain the correct posture to reap the benefits. They'll work with you to help your strength, flexibility, and balance training in a safe environment. Increased endorphins are a great by-product of this type of activity, and once released, they reduce the perception of pain, anxiety, and stress. Improves strength and fitness Performing exercises in the water provides resistance as your body moves in this weightless environment, building muscle while also improving cardiovascular fitness. It strengthens all muscles and throughout each session, the intensity builds up which is beneficial to your health and fitness. Moving through the water to create resistance or adding floatation devices in the water can help create additional resistance. Some reminders before your first hydrotherapy session: Knowing how to swim is not essential to participate, as you will be guided by a trained staff member. Make sure your doctor has given you the green light to participate, prior to your hydrotherapy session. They will advise if any extra safety precautions are required and confirm if aquatic exercise is safe for you. Signs of pain can be absent when performing exercises in the pool, so make sure you aren't over doing any exercises. Ask for advice from the Karingal Green team during your session if you are unsure. 7/12/26, 11:47 AM Stayton raises $82i< to support city pool — Our Town Santiam OUR TOWN SANTIAM Serving the communities of Stayton, Sublimity, Aumsville, Lyons and Mehama MENU ATES( CELEBRATE! STAYTON, CANYON COMMUNITIES READY FOR NATION'S 250TH, S... t;lVWl; 10 i TUNE 2, 2026 Stayton raises $82K to support city pool Stayton Family Memorial Pool The City of Stayton has raised more than $82,000 toward a $100,000 goal to fund the Stayton Family Memorial Pool for the next fiscal year following failure of an operations levy for the pool and city parks. When a city pool faces a severe capital deficit, local governments often assume their only choice is closure. However, communities across the country have successfully saved their therapy pools by using alternative financing models, community partnerships, and specialized grants. Here are actionable, creative funding ideas you can present to city leaders to help bridge the capital gap: 1. Healthcare and Hospital Partnerships Therapy pools provide direct medical benefits, making them ideal partners for the local healthcare sector. • Hospital Sponsorships: Local hospital networks or orthopedic clinics can sponsor the pool in exchange for dedicated hours for their physical therapy patients. • Insurer Reimbursements: Cities can partner with Medicare Advantage or private health insurance plans (like SilverSneakers) to subsidize member costs, providing the city with a steady, guaranteed stream of revenue. 2. Specialized Grants for Seniors and Accessibility Because therapy pools serve vulnerable populations, they qualify for specific grants that standard recreational pools cannot access. • Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): Federal funds given to cities that can be used directly for public facility improvements, especially those serving seniors or people with disabilities. • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance Grants: If the pool needs capital repairs to stay accessible (like broken lifts or ramps), specific infrastructure grants can cover those costs. • AARP Community Challenge Grants: These grants fund quick -action projects that improve community spaces for residents aged 50 and older. 3. Dedicated Fundraising and Foundation Support Shifting the pool's financial burden away from the general city budget can keep the doors open. • (3): "Friends of the Pool" 501(c Setting up a non-profit foundation allows the community to accept tax-deductible private donations, corporate sponsorships, and philanthropic family foundation grants. • Legacy Giving & Naming Rights: A local business, wealthy donor, or healthcare corporation may be willing to pay a large capital sum to put their name on the building or the pool deck. 4. Public -Private Operations (The YMCA Model) If the city cannot afford the operational overhead, they can lease the facility to an outside organization. • Non -Profit Management: Many cities hand over operations to the YMCA, JCC, or a private physical therapy company. These organizations already have the staff, insurance, and billing systems to run pools efficiently, saving the city massive administrative costs while keeping public access. [1 (httl)s://www.reddit.corn/r/ chicago/comments/1 hasjoh/how_wouldyouu_balance_the_budget/ )] F_.... - "We know the budget is in arrears, but closing the pool isn't the only answer. We want to worK with the city to explore healthcare partnerships, CDBG grants, or a public -private partnership with an organization like the YMCA to save this asset." [1 (https:Hourtownsantiam.com/news/stayton-raises-821c-to-support-city-pool/)]