I hold a personal story close to my heart that I would like to share. I once nearly drowned in a pool because I didn't know how to swim. This traumatizing experience has ignited a strong passion within me to effect change in our community. I firmly believe that the St. Tammany Recreation District #4 should install a pool.

Having a local pool is more than just a venue for fun and relaxation, it's a life-saving measure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that from 2005-2014, an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings occurred annually in the United States — about ten deaths per day. And about one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. Providing a space within our recreation district where people can learn to swim could significantly decrease these numbers.

For many people, opportunities for water safety education are limited. A pool in our local recreation district would open these doors, allowing people from our community a safe place to learn valuable swimming skills and enjoy the water in a controlled environment. It would bring peace of mind to many families and add a valuable asset to our community.

Keeping my experience in mind, I urge you to take action. Make our community safer and more enjoyable by adding a pool to the St. Tammany Recreation District #4. Let's ensure that what happened to me doesn't happen to anyone else in our community. Please sign this petition.