A free pandemic-era bathe scheme for the homeless ends subsequent week at Bellingham’s public swimming pool.
The Arne Hanna Aquatic Middle will shut for deliberate upkeep on July 29 and free showers is not going to resume when the pool opens on August 20, mentioned Parks and Recreation Division director Nicole Oliver.
“Mayor Seth Fleetwood has prioritized ending the bathe program on the aquatic heart and recognized different free bathe choices,” Oliver mentioned in an e-mail to pool customers obtained by The Bellingham Herald.
Showers can be found on the base camp shelter and in a Salvation Military trailer operated by Lighthouse Mission Ministries at 1515 Birchwood Ave, The Herald reported this week.
“All customers are welcome to make use of (Arne Hanna) for quite a lot of water sports activities applications for a charge, however free showers is not going to be out there after July 29,” Oliver mentioned in her e-mail.
“Created through the COVID-19 emergency, this service has addressed an necessary want in our neighborhood. We respect the endurance and compassion proven by our water sports activities heart workers and all customers in offering this service,” she mentioned.
Current unlawful drug use, together with an obvious overdose loss of life, has raised issues amongst pool company and workers, Oliver mentioned.
“Our intent with these modifications is to help our neighborhood’s water recreation wants, deal with public well being and security issues, and proceed our metropolis’s compassionate response to individuals with fundamental hygiene wants in a neighborhood the place few such companies are at the moment out there,” Oliver mentioned.
