Community members upset about closure of Citrus College's handicap-accessible pool
Author: Maritza Velazquez , Staff Writer
GLENDORA - Citrus College last month closed its pool for five months in an effort to save money, but some are upset because they say the pool is an important tool in their efforts to cope with disabilities.
For Michael Peterson, a paraplegic who suffered a spinal cord injury more than 20 years ago, the pool has become central to his exercise regimen.
"It's good to get out of the chair," said the Azusa resident, who pays a monthly fee to use the pool, which has a handicap-accessible ramp. "I actually go in there and swim laps. It's good cardio and good for your skin because you're out of the chair. When you exercise, it's good for the brain."
Staff Photographer
The pool is slated to reopen in April.
Citrus College officials say cuts need to be made to make up for a budget deficit. According to a presentation posted on the college's website, Citrus has a $858,482 shortfall from its $58.7 million operating budget for the 2010-11 school year.
Citrus College officials did not know how much the pool closure produced in savings.
"We are a big institution and it's difficult and we don't have the staffing at this point to slice and dice things," Citrus College spokeswoman Paula Green said in reference to the cuts.
Irene Malmgren, Citrus College vice president of academic affairs, said the pool is used less frequently during the winter. The college also closed the pool last winter, she said.
"It's part of a larger savings across campus," said Malmgren. "We had to make a lot of cuts we really didn't want to make. In order to maintain sections for students, we had to do some cutting around the edges."
Since Peterson can't use the pool, he has since made use of the fitness center, which also offers a handicap-accessible machine, he said.
"That's the reason I work out there," Peterson said. "They have that and three other machines (I can use). Thank God for that, otherwise I don't know where I'd work out."
There aren't many handicap-accessible pools in the area, according to Carolyn Aguayo, a spokeswoman for Ability First, which provides programs and services for disabled children and adults.
"I haven't heard of too many accessible swimming pools," she said. "In general, I often hear of closures, whether they're accessible or not."
The organization has a pool in Claremont that is open to the public when it's not in use by its youth programs. In addition, there's a pool in Pasadena during the summer season.
At Citrus, other students with disabilities were affected by the closure as well.
For student Julia Kupisiewicz, swimming at the campus pool relieved symptoms of fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread pain and painful responses to pressure.
"It worked magic," she said. "I went into a remission and it was awesome. I almost felt normal again."
She's met others with medical conditions at the pool who find many benefits from exercising there, she said.
The college also offers swim classes for those with disabilities, officials said.
For now, Kupisiewicz is continuing to swim at 24 Hour Fitness, she said.
"But that doesn't work for everybody," she said. "Some need certain equipment, trainers, things like that to accommodate them."
Citrus College officials say cuts need to be made to make up for a budget deficit. According to a presentation posted on the college's website, Citrus has a $858,482 shortfall from its $58.7 million operating budget for the 2010-11 school year.
Citrus College officials did not know how much the pool closure produced in savings.
"We are a big institution and it's difficult and we don't have the staffing at this point to slice and dice things," Citrus College spokeswoman Paula Green said in reference to the cuts.
Irene Malmgren, Citrus College vice president of academic affairs, said the pool is used less frequently during the winter. The college also closed the pool last winter, she said.
"It's part of a larger savings across campus," said Malmgren. "We had to make a lot of cuts we really didn't want to make. In order to maintain sections for students, we had to do some cutting around the edges."
Since Peterson can't use the pool, he has since made use of the fitness center, which also offers a handicap-accessible machine, he said.
"That's the reason I work out there," Peterson said. "They have that and three other machines (I can use). Thank God for that, otherwise I don't know where I'd work out."
There aren't many handicap-accessible pools in the area, according to Carolyn Aguayo, a spokeswoman for Ability First, which provides programs and services for disabled children and adults.
"I haven't heard of too many accessible swimming pools," she said. "In general, I often hear of closures, whether they're accessible or not."
The organization has a pool in Claremont that is open to the public when it's not in use by its youth programs. In addition, there's a pool in Pasadena during the summer season.
At Citrus, other students with disabilities were affected by the closure as well.
For student Julia Kupisiewicz, swimming at the campus pool relieved symptoms of fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread pain and painful responses to pressure.
"It worked magic," she said. "I went into a remission and it was awesome. I almost felt normal again."
She's met others with medical conditions at the pool who find many benefits from exercising there, she said.
The college also offers swim classes for those with disabilities, officials said.
For now, Kupisiewicz is continuing to swim at 24 Hour Fitness, she said.
"But that doesn't work for everybody," she said. "Some need certain equipment, trainers, things like that to accommodate them."
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