10/23/07  Letter sent to the Editors of Times Herald and the King of Prussia Courier:

 

“God isn’t making any more land in King of Prussia, so buy it!”

These are not the words of any local real estate agent’s slogan but the sentiments of Upper Merion residents who are lobbying for the reconstruction of the former Lafayette Swim Club and a recreation center in the Gold’s Gym on West Valley Forge Rd. on that site. These words also seem to echo the campaign literature of political candidates who pledge to provide open space and recreation sites for their constituents who vote them into office.

At the present time there is no public outdoor swimming facility in Upper Merion. Families must drive their children to other municipalities for aquatic recreation. The competitive swim teams have had to practice at Chesterbrook or elsewhere. The loss of a swim club is married to a loss of a sense of community, a local place where families can meet and connect.

This is why residents have formed a lobby group who called themselves: Upper Merion Recreation Center with a website: http://uppermerionrecreationcenter.com. Impetus was the possibility of a rezoning of the swim club ground to a development of townhouses and apartments. This site is as close to being in the “heart” of Upper Merion township as the heart is in the human body. The adjacent area is either single family homes or across the road from all levels of schools—elementary, middle, and high.


At the Upper Merion Community Fair in September, group members surveyed residents on their recreational needs. In addition to outdoor aquatics, were: a skate board park, indoor roller hockey, basketball courts, indoor lacrosse, etc as well as activities devoted to art and theater. They sold tee shirts which read: Give our community a center.

As a great grand mother I can mentally trace the evolution of youth’s activities through the decades. With the emergence of technology the self initiated games of jump rope, hide and seek, hop scotch, tag, and ball games metamorphosed into ipods, video games, chat rooms, or cell phone conversations. Yes, there are those active young people who wisely participate in organized sports that get physical exercise but there are many who do not fit that venue. Many youths head to the Mall or the parking lots for their leisure time activities.

We read about concerns about childhood obesity. The government is in the arena of banning Trans- fats in the school lunches. But tied to this problem is the lack of exercise. Swimming is highly touted as an exercise for all ages, for the handicapped as well as those needing rehabilitation after orthopedic surgeries. From 1961 to 2001 thousands of Upper Merionites learned to swim and dive at Lafayette Swim Club. Adults and youths played volley ball or basketball there as well. In the winter they ice skated in the adjacent building.

Elected officials have the financial well being of the municipality to balance with expenditures. We all contribute to public education whether we have school age children or not. It’s for the common good. Neighborhoods are reverting to homes with young children. The original residents of the 50’s and 60’s are downsizing and their large three or four bedroom homes, once again house pre-school aged children. On my block alone, I have one former student with four children, and behind me is another former student who is anticipating the birth of her first child. Mothers place signs on the streets warning motorists that children are playing in the area.

Candidates in public office need to have vision, creativity, and a desire to make the residents’ lives fuller. Upper Merion is a fortunate municipality with so much commerce and industry. If Upper Merion is forced to accept gambling within its boundaries, let’s use that windfall for the good of the children—for the future of Upper Merion. Let’s buy the former Lafayette Swim Club and Skating Rink site. Let’s give all of us from youths to seniors an up-to- date aquatic center and a recreation center in the heart of the community. Let’s get the children out of the parking lots and malls. Let’s give the community a center.

Joan M. Kellett
Upper Merion resident
Former member of the Upper Merion Board of Supervisors
610-265-0941

10/15/07

We are working on a business plan to present to the Board of Supervisors

Joan learned from Mr. Ron Wagemann, township manager that
None of the sights for open space acquisition have enough acreage for a recreation center.

From her meeting with Al Pascall of the Chamber of Commerce: The YMCA is not interested because at least 20 acres are required. 
Add your content here