The city pool, with its controversy and occasional criticism, was an amazing training tool for me and many others this summer.

I had always considered it a playground of sorts for the kids in the community until someone told me about Adult Swim from 8 to 9 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m. weekdays.

I went once and was hooked for the summer, along with the other “regulars” that nodded their latex-suctioned heads at me as I made my usual dipped-toe-in-the-water entry each day or so.

And so we'd go, endlessly stroking from end to end for the one hour allotted us, while those solemn-faced kids sat on the sidelines and counted the 60 minutes until they could re-enter the water.

I was surprised on my first noon visit to find swim classes in session, broken down by age and ability into groups led by some very responsible lifeguards. Those kids (and I respectfully mean “the lifeguards”) opened the pool, cleaned the pool, monitored your kids, taught your kids life-saving swimming, and then closed the pool this summer - all for free.

Now, I know it's old - and leaky - and expensive - and a bit high-maintenance . . . but it's 70 years old for goodness sakes. I have a 70-plus mother who fits this description.

I don't pretend to know the best solution for the city pool's problems, but I've sat through enough city planning meetings (6:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays if you'd like to go) and listened to the pool discussions, among other topics, and do trust that city council will figure a way to keep it in use as economically as possible for all of us who are very happy it's here.

Carolyn Testa

Bonners Ferry