Where are the public pools?

It's amazing how much crud collects in a pool over the winter, even when you cover it with a tarp. I had the misfortune of finding out how much grit and gunk had piled up in ours after The Boss asked: "Are we going to be able to swim by the Fourth of July?"

It wasn't a threat. And given my halfhearted attempts at keeping the aboveground albatross clean last year, I did feel embarrassed. We inherited the pool when we bought the house a dozen years ago.

So, as I spent several mornings scooping up leaves, scrubbing down the sides and shooing away frogs - don't ask - I imagined using our local pool.

If there were one.

I live in Chesapeake, which has zero - zip - public pools. Given that we're in a metro region with tons of water, the lack of public pools is usually not a problem. If you live near the ocean, or have a car, or can afford a pricey club membership, it's no big deal.

Otherwise, you're out of luck in some cities in Hampton Roads.

That's truly a bummer when the sun begins to pound your head, your kids whine about being bored, or you'd like the benefits of a pool - "Cannonball!" - without the hassle of maintaining one.

Folks in Portsmouth know what I mean.

This summer, city officials decided to not reopen the pool in Cavalier Manor, Portsmouth's lone public pool. Forget, for a moment, that it has historical significance: When it opened in 1958, it was the only pool in Portsmouth that allowed blacks to swim in it. A half-century later, it's the only place some kids and adults can go regularly to take a dip.

After The Pilot publicized the situation, and residents and some City Council members raised a stink, city officials reversed course and came up with the $78,000 needed to run the pool. Trouble is, it won't open until July 20 and will close just six weeks later.

In Chesapeake, city officials and the YMCA, over the opposition of some vocal residents, recently announced plans to build a city-operated pool in Northwest River Park. It would be the first city-run pool in Chesapeake, but at only 3-1/2 feet deep, diving will be out of the question.

Maybe some community leaders in South Hampton Roads don't think public pools are a necessity. Virginians can be a cheap lot, pools cost a lot of money to build, and they certainly shouldn't supersede schools, police or roads among public priorities.

But if you're talking quality of life, or an asset that can draw potential homeowners and businesses to a community, people will consider the types of recreational activities, including parks, pools and the like. A few cities understand that idea, set aside money to operate programs, and charge relatively low rates to their own residents.

The city of Virginia Beach has six recreational centers with indoor pools. Norfolk has two rec centers with indoor pools, two with outdoor pools and both indoor and outdoor pools at the Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center. It also runs "Summer Plunge," which provides rides to Norfolk children ages 8 to 18 who don't live near the city's pools. The program also offers swimming lessons and water safety.

The decision to forgo building public pools can have a cost, too.

Chesapeake officials estimate that 5,700 homeowners and 320 businesses have their own pools in the city. That's a lot of water to add each summer, a lot of chlorine and stabilizer to buy, and a lot of leaves to vacuum.

I like the convenience and privacy of having my own pool. And The Boss will get her wish today. But some days, I get sick of all those leaves.

Roger Chesley is associate editor of The Virginian-Pilot's editorial page. Reach him at (757) 446-2329 or roger.chesley@pilotonline.com.