To the editor:

The Lawrence City Commission recently approved a plan that greatly reduces the size of our only outdoor pool, eliminating more than half of our open swim space.

This 4,800 square-foot area to be removed is the heart of our pool.

It is the primary area that accommodates 5- to 10-year-olds. It’s deep enough for them to swim in, but also shallow enough for them to safely touch the bottom, whereas the open swim area that would remain in the renovated pool is too deep for kids of this age range, leaving them without a good space for playing and swimming at our pool.

This area to be eliminated also includes half the length of the pool’s 50-meter course lap lanes, the length used in all competitive swim meets. This area is critical for training all four of our community’s swim teams, and it also benefits the many lap swimmers and walkers who use the pool for exercise and physical rehabilitation.

Because this area is our biggest open water area, it is also the place where everyone — parents, kids, grandparents, friends, adults and exercisers come together for any activity — playing, tossing a ball, doing handstands, playing Marco Polo, racing each other, walking, cooling off, and most importantly, swimming.

I have organized an advocacy campaign asking the City Commission to reverse their decision to shrink our only outdoor pool. If you agree with my cause, please sign our petition at www.change.org/lawrence-pool.

Holly Krebs,

Lawrence