Letter To The Editor: I am writing to encourage people to vote “YES”

Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Oskaloosa News.

As a licensed Physical Therapist who oversees aquatic therapy at the YMCA for our local hospital, I am writing to encourage people to vote “YES” on renewing the Local Option Sales Tax to benefit the many patients who use the current YMCA pool for their therapy.

Aquatic or pool therapy is an exercise program performed in the water. Buoyancy assists in supporting a person’s weight, which reduces the force of stress on the joints. This is especially useful for patients with arthritis, those rehabbing from a total knee or hip replacement as well as a host of other patients.

While we have a great business relationship with the current YMCA that allows us to utilize their pool for therapy, it is not an ideal situation due to the limitations of the facility. The proposed recreation and early childhood education center will have two pools, one focused on lap and competitive swimming and one with a zero depth entry to support younger swimmers, water aerobics and therapy. Having both pools available will allow the recreation pool to be kept a warmer temperature, which has been found more beneficial for arthritic patients. It will also be handicap accessible to allow folks of any age to access to the pool and the adjoining locker rooms.

I hope you will join me in voting “YES” to renew the Local Option Sales Tax to grow our community and maximize the benefits available to our patients needing aquatic therapy.

Sincerely,
Ryan Rowley, PT
Director of Physical and Occupational Therapy
Mahaska Health Partnership
641-672-3306