The Student News Site of Neshaminy High School

The Playwickian

The Student News Site of Neshaminy High School

The Playwickian

The Student News Site of Neshaminy High School

The Playwickian

Poquessing swimming pool faces several setbacks

By Rachita Singh

The pools at Poquessing Middle School and Sandburg Middle School are the only two pools in the district. The pools are used almost every day for various activities; however, such activities are being hindered as the pool at Poquessing needs repairs. Problems of the pool include heater and temperature regulation, ventilation problems, and inefficient equipment.
“The Custodial Staff at Poquessing (lead by Head Custodian Brandon Moser) and Facilities have worked hard to improve the air flow at the pool and reduce the Chloramine levels in the air caused by use. Newer ventilation/ filtration systems in modern facilities have systems in place to address this air pollutant. Unfortunately, the science was not understood when pools like ours were built,” said biology and environmental science teacher and swim coach, Brian Suter.
Middle school students are taught various activities in the pool such as swimming, water and boating safety, kayaking, etc. “The physical education teachers in Neshaminy School District are American Red Cross lifeguards and Water Safety Instructors and some of us in the middle schools are certified by the Pennsylvania Fishing and Boating Commission so, when the 8th graders complete and pass the course, they can earn their Boating Safety Certificate from the state,” said Hank Coleman, physical education teacher at Poquessing Middle School. The pool also serves the community for activities such as Friday Night Swim.
Not only is the pool utilized by the middle school students and the community, it is also used by the swim team for practices and meets. Many times neither of the pools can be utilized. “The pool at Sandburg is the first option to utilize when the Poquessing pool has issues. But there are restrictions as that pool is contracted to an outside company. Aside from that, the Neshaminy High School swim team has no other viable options other than individual sources. Many swimmers have had to join gyms or athletic clubs like the Newtown Athletic Club to train at when we cannot provide them a pool. However, this forces them to train alone,which drastically diminishes the actual value of their competitive training and removes the coaching element for our swimmers,” said chemistry teacher and swim coach, Dana Puskas.
Fundraisers have also been held for repairs and equipment needed by the swim team. In addition to a car wash at the beginning of the year, a Super Bowl fundraiser was also held by the Neshaminy CORE to purchase equipment such as pull bouys, kick boards, stretch
cords and fins. The parents of Neshaminy
CORE have also raised $1,000 out of the $2,400 that is needed for repair of the lanes in the pool.Despite facility issues, Puskas is optimistic for the swimming program. “The facility we have is what we have,” Puskas said.
“To be a Neshaminy High School swimmer, you really need to be devoted to the sport and highly motivated,” Puskas added. “But it is absolutely worth it in the end when you account for the life-long friends you make, the healthy physical improvement, and the lessons in self-discipline you take with you.”

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Poquessing swimming pool faces several setbacks