Regarding “Community pools face repairs, attendance woes” (Aug. 17, page 1).

Recent articles in the Eagle discussed how expensive and difficult it is to keep some of the the county's community swimming pools open. As an owner of a private pool for the past 30 years, I am on a smaller scale familiar with some of the problems.

First of all, a swimming pool is an amenity, not a necessity. In our area you're lucky if you get to use it 10 to 12 weeks out of the year.

I think the county should close or, better yet, sell Alameda pool to Butler City, Butler Township and Center Township. Although it is a county facility, because of its location these are primarily the communities that benefit from it. The proceeds from the sale of the pool and the annual budget allocations could be used to support public (not private) pools throughout the county.

It's sort of ironic that local communities' pools are struggling to stay open while they are subsidizing Alameda Pool.

Residents need to contact the county commissioners and voice their concern on this issue.