TESTIMONY
Nora Cronin on Addressing the Inequities and Challenges in Swimming Education in NYC
1:11:24
·
3 min
Nora Cronin outlines the disparities and needs in swimming education for low-income communities and people of color in NYC.
- Highlights the lack of public swimming pools in NYC and the disproportionate access for low-income households and people of color.
- Emphasizes the financial strain on non-profits due to high pool rental costs, with Plus Pool's summer rental reaching $600 per hour.
- Supports proposals for the Parks Department and Department of Education to collaborate with non-profits for swim instruction.
- Suggests leveraging technology and resources, like unused pools and the Governor's fund, to improve access and training.
- Urges the city council to adopt bold initiatives to overcome barriers in swim education, including the resolution of the lifeguard shortage problem through innovative approaches.
Nora Cronin
1:11:24
Good afternoon, committee chair, Krishnan, committee members.
1:11:27
My name is Nora Cronin, and I am the program director at Friends of Plus Pool.
1:11:32
And on behalf of behalf of Plus Pool, would like to thank the city council for holding this hearing on improving water safety.
1:11:38
Since 2018, our non profit organization has been provided free.
1:11:43
Yes, free swim education to low income New Yorkers, collaborating with Nisha to place fans lease in our programs that now serve both youth and adults.
1:11:54
80% to 90% of our program participants have households that may under $26,000 a year, and 80 to 90 percent of our students are persons of color.
1:12:04
All participants report low income.
1:12:08
We have heard the statistics regarding the disparity of swim access as it applies to low income households and people of color.
1:12:14
Council member, Narcis, pointed it out just today.
1:12:18
Less talked about are the statistics that show we have fewer public pools per capita than any major US city.
1:12:24
Only 53 out door public pools exist to serve all New Yorkers.
1:12:29
History has shown that the investment in public swimming pools provides incredible social and public health benefits, including a reduction in drowning fatalities, and even crime reduction.
1:12:41
In contemporary times, municipal poles provide relief from increased subs increased instances of extreme heat.
1:12:48
They serve thousands a day as opposed to private pools that may only serve a single family and their friends, making them much more sustainable And yet, we have not had a major investment in municipal swimming pools since the 19 seventies or a new beach opened for swimming in our city since 2000 11.
1:13:07
Nonprofits like ours often spend upwards of 75% of our programming budgets on pool rental costs.
1:13:15
At Plus Pool, our summer rental cost for our space have reached upwards of $600 per hour for a pool rental.
1:13:22
That is why we are in full support of the proposed plans to have the parks department and department of education collaborate with nonprofits to swim instruction for those who need it most.
1:13:33
If we were to leverage public pools for our programs and eliminate or greatly reduce the cost of pool rentals, we would be able to serve three times as many students.
1:13:44
The lack of adequate swim facilities is just one issue directing affecting our ability to support greater access to swimming for all New Yorkers.
1:13:52
We need bold ideas to address the challenges being discussed here today.
1:13:57
Could we leverage the tech industry to establish a database of of unavailable or unused pools for groups to provide swimming lessons?
1:14:05
Could we leverage the governor's fund for new pools to create a New York City based facility dedicated to lifeguard training throughout the year?
1:14:13
Could FDNY or New York City EMTs become lifeguards themselves because they already have first responder credentials?
1:14:19
Is there a really a lifeguard shortage, or are there just barriers put in place such as having no part time work and costly or ineffective sort or as council member, Kirsten and put pointed out a certification process that is different between agencies that are causing people not to become lifeguards, who would other wise want to be.
1:14:39
We believe we can leverage opportunities here, and we support city council and its efforts to do so.
1:14:43
Thank you so much for your time.