“They Did an About-Face”

Closing pool a bad move

Last August I went to Gritman accounts to ask why I had not received the billing for the use of the Therapy Pool at the Martin Wellness Center. The bookkeeper said they had no way to bill me or any of the others who use the pool but we would get our bills soon. None of us has received a bill since July.

I write because Gritman has since decided to close the pool, saying they cannot afford to maintain the building. Recall they received this extensive [6 acre] property for the sum of $1 in 2007, and they have not spent a dime on infrastructure upkeep since then. After assuring us in October [2024] they had NO INTENSION of closing the pool they did an about-face and emailed us [at the end of the year] that the facility will be closed January 31 while they find a buyer for the property.

Gritman claims the following in its mission statement: Compassion, Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, none of which has been our experience with Gritman executives. All the people who use the therapy pool have been referred by physicians. Many of us are not able to get into a pool with steps, much less swim laps, but all of us benefit from a heated therapy pool where we can move and exercise. Our quality of life is immensely improved because of the pool.

Gritman Board of Trustees: postpone your decision until other avenues to keep the pool open are explored.

LYNAIRE MH BANKS

Moscow