The Whitehaven community gathered Tuesday for the opening of the Robertson Family Aquatic Center, the only outdoor public pool in all of Whitehaven.
Named in honor of Howard Robertson and his family, the YMCA-operated facility is built around more than just swimming. It is about water safety, drowning prevention, and giving young people the skills and confidence that open doors.
“It’s about confidence. It’s about opening doors for scholarship and opportunities. And most importantly, it’s about preventing drowning,” said Brian McLaughlin from the YMCA.
The numbers behind the mission are sobering. According to the CDC, more than 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths occur every year in the United States, with numbers rising during the summer months. For a community that has historically lacked access to public aquatic facilities, the Robertson Family Aquatic Center is more than a pool. It is a resource.
