I am writing to express serious concerns about the proposed construction of an indoor pool that would eliminate a heavily used outdoor pool, place additional strain on the only remaining outdoor facility, Rehm Pool, and significantly disrupt the community ice rink.
Our outdoor pool is not just a seasonal luxury — it is a well-used, accessible, and affordable community resource. Families, children, seniors, swim teams, rely on it every summer. Removing this pool would concentrate demand on the single remaining outdoor pool, leading to overcrowding, limited access, and a diminished experience for everyone who depends on it.
Equally troubling is the impact this project would have on the ice rink. The rink is a vital year-round facility serving youth sports, recreational skaters, and community programs. Its temporary or permanent loss would displace hundreds of users and remove another important outlet for physical activity and community connection.
An indoor pool may offer benefits, but those benefits should not come at the expense of multiple well-used outdoor and recreational facilities. This proposal solves one problem by creating several others — reducing access, overburdening remaining resources, and weakening the diversity of recreational opportunities our community currently enjoys.
I urge decision-makers to reconsider this plan and explore alternatives that preserve existing outdoor amenities, protect the ice rink, and reflect how these facilities are actually used by the community. Thoughtful planning should expand access to recreation, not reduce it.
Cam Niederman
Oak Park
