The City of Cambridge has proposed that two outdoor pools be put on the chopping block. This decision would be a step in the wrong direction, not only for children and youth within Cambridge but our communities as a whole.  It is hard enough for young families to purchase a home in Cambridge, let alone one that has a pool or a large enough yard to build one.  Providing public pools in the communities that we live is an absolute necessity and should not just be for affluent families.  Children are off school over the summer months and need this type of physical activity.  During free swim days, these pools are packed.  This to me sends a clear message that the general admission on regular days are way too costly at $4-5 a person.  Families cannot afford it.  Reduce the cost to make it more accessible/affordable and more people would use them. Splash pads are not a reasonable replacement as only the very young use them and not teens and adults.  Mental Health is at the forefront of our City's and our Region's concerns.  Closing down two pools would be tearing away at much needed resources that strengthen mental health within our community.  Many studies prove that not only physical activity, but swimming and especially outdoor swimming improves mental health.  Closing down pools will further strip away at our very fragile mental health within our community.  Support the physical and mental well being of our city and say NO to the closure of our pools.  Supporting documentation provided below.

Sincerely, Angela Raposo, Cambridge resident

https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/connection-between-mental-and-physical-health/

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es903183r

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2850.2004.00751.x/full

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953612003565

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14038190701395838

https://www.livestrong.com/article/477375-mental-physical-benefits-of-swimming/

http://www.swimming.org/justswim/swimming-improves-mental-health/

http://bmhmag.com/what-swimming-can-do-for-mental-health/

https://www.bupa.co.uk/newsroom/ourviews/benefits-of-swimming

https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/10-hidden-benefits-swimming/

https://mentalhealthscreening.org/blog/how-swimming-can-boost-your-mental-health

http://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/health/swimming-major-benefits-mental-health-635637

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-6832/Why-Swimming-Is-Great-for-Your-Body-Mind-Soul.html