EDITORIAL: Sick Lakes Show Pool’s Importance

By The Wisconsin State Journal

Aug. 5–Why does Madison need a municipal swimming pool when it has so many lakes?

Critics of a city pool were fond of asking that question over the last half century.

Well, this summer is providing the clearest answer yet: Madison needs a pool because its lakes are in terrible shape.

The city has closed a slew of public beaches this summer for days at a time because of blue-green algae that can produce toxic blooms. Warner Park and Spring Harbor beaches remained closed Monday, according to the city’s Web site. And many beaches that remain open stink because of thick weed growth.

Just a couple of weeks ago, a young woman swimming in Lake Mendota near Memorial Union was treated at an emergency room because of joint pain, headache, rash, upset stomach and fatigue linked to algae. It was the latest incident in a string of similar illnesses across the region.

While flooding is partly to blame for this year’s trouble, lake weeds and unhealthy lake water have become common. Back in 2004, for example, a dog died of symptoms consistent with algae poisoning after swimming in Lake Kegonsa, and another dog that was in the lake suffered seizures.

The Madison region needs to take better care of its lakes or risk losing all of the things — recreation, scenery and wildlife — that make them so special.

At the same time, Madison should celebrate its wonderful Goodman Pool, which provides big fun during the summer as well as swimming lessons for hundreds of children who might not otherwise be able to take them.

And if city leaders would finally get serious about reducing and eliminating the pool’s operating deficit (a good place to start would be lowering the $11-an-hour starting wages for teenage cashiers in the snack bar) serious talk of a second municipal pool on the North Side could begin.

The State Journal editorial board vigorously supported construction of Goodman Pool. And the importance and benefit of the pool are only more obvious today.

Madison owes Irwin and Robert Goodman a huge thank you for the millions of dollars they gave to make the pool finally become reality.

The number of swimmers at city beaches has plummeted in the last 15 years because of weeds, bacteria and closures. Madison absolutely needs healthier lakes. It also needed the big splash of its first pool.

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