Decrepit Facilities

I swim four mornings a week in the Glassell Park pool. While the pool is glorious, the surroundings are depressing because the facility is sadly in need of repair and maintenance. Broken doors, broken toilets, peeling paint and nonfunctioning showers are among the problems.

After speaking with the pool director, I found that there are barely enough funds to pay the staff and that the city maintenance crew consists of around 26 people for the city’s 54 pools. When Mayor Richard Riordan instituted fee-free swimming for children in L.A.’s pools this summer, I’m certain that he thought he was doing a good thing. While I agree with his idea, the reality is harsh. Support must come from somewhere.

JUDITH AMDUR

Los Angeles