IMPORTANCE OF A COMMUNITY SWIMMING POOL

Why is having a public swimming pool important to a community?  The Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District (DMPMPD) is proud to govern and maintain the Mount Rainier Pool.  Below is a list of Life Skill, Health and Fitness, Social, Other Worlds/Experiences and Affordable Benefits.

SWIMMING IS AN ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILL

Des Moines is surrounded by water and parents who get their children swim lessons are opening their lives to a whole new level of possibilities.  Kids who can navigate their way around water can enjoy water-based activities such as kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, scuba diving, surfing, triathlon, boating, water skiing, jet skiing and rowing.  It gives them access to water parks, beaches, lakes and summer camps.

Expand their career possibilities: Children who swim have access to a significantly wider range of job opportunities. If they can swim, they are that much more likely to find employment in a career that will make them happy.

HEALTH AND FITNESS BENEFITS

The Mount Rainier Pool offers lap swimming, water walking and water exercise to help improve health and fitness, and to combat asthma, childhood obesity and the negative effects of aging.

Water Exercise offers many benefits.  Exercising in water builds cardiovascular stamina, strength and flexibility, helps burn body fat, increases circulation and can help to rehabilitate healing muscles and joints.

Lap Swimming helps burn more calories than running for the same amount of time.  One hour of vigorous lap swimming can burn as much as 715 calories.  One hour of running burns 606 calories.

Asthma conditions can improve as swimming is great for people who suffer from chronic lung conditions such as asthma.  Asthma sufferers, especially those with sports-induced asthma, can experience breathing difficulties because of the loss of heat and moisture in the bronchial tubes.  The bronchial tubes contract when air is dry and/or cold outside.  Swimming is a great exercise for asthma as people as the moisture lost in exercise is replaced with the moist environment of the water.

Childhood Obesity is a condition seen more frequently.  Swimming is an important activity receommended to keep kids health, build endurance and strength and maintain flexibility.  In addition to having fun in the water.  Swimming provides kids with tools, skill, habit and dedication to maintain healthier lives as adults.

Effects of Aging can be forestalled with regular water exercise.  Swimming or water-based exercise can improve  blood pressure, increase muscle mass, improve oxygen and blood flow to the brain and improve cardiovascular health.  Increasing flexibility and reducing joint inflammation are two benefits many seniors achieve.

Keep them fit for life: As well as being fun, swimming is a great way to keep fit. It’s a healthy activity that kids can continue for a lifetime. Swimming is a low-impact activity that has many physical and mental health benefits. And it is a great way to make friends.

OPENS WORLDS/EXPERIENCES

Being able to swim allows kids and adults to participate in water-based activities such as kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, scuba diving, surfing, triathlon, boating, water skiing, jet skiing and rowing.  It also makes kids and adults safer attending events are water parks, beaches, lakes and summer camps.

COMMUNITY ASSET

When companies search for locations to start a new business or recruite new employees, the community assets for recreation, health and wellness and events are part of the selection process.

AFFORDABLE

Swimming is one of the best sports for affordability as it only requires a swimsuit and goggles!

The Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District is dedicated to offering services at affordable rates by keeping fees in line with other service providers, offering reduced rate swim times each week to offer scholarships for swimming lessons.  If you want more information on the Faith Callahan Memorial Swim Scholarships, click on the scholarship link at the bottom of this page.

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!

Please contact Scott Deschenes, District General Manager at 206.429.3852 or at scott.deschenes@desmoinespool.org.