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Most people maintain a special place in their heart for memories related to the community where they were born and/or grew up -- even decades after leaving to pursue their life's dreams and ambitions.
However, it is much rarer for that fond remembrance and loyalty to be demonstrated years later by way of a large gift to benefit the community as a whole or some specific part of it.
Meanwhile, there probably isn't a place in America where natives of a community are lined up waiting to give a gift having lasting significance to that "home" of happy memories.
Fortunately for Altoona, it now is an exception to that which generally is routine. Other communities, no doubt, when they learned about an important announcement earlier this month regarding something good that will be coming this city's way, looked at the Mountain City with envy.
They no doubt were engaged in wishful thinking, pondering why they themselves could not be in Altoona's proverbial shoes, enjoying such good fortune at this time.
It is reasonable to conclude that many people here are not just wondering about the identity of the generous donor whose gift to the city will finance the bulk of replacing Prospect Pool. They're also no doubt pondering what aspect of his or her life -- or happening or happenings -- in the past provided the incentive for the decision to make financially possible the costly Prospect Pool endeavor.
For example, one obvious question is whether the donor enjoyed the currently existing pool during his or her growing-up years. Another plausible explanation could be mere recognition of the value of such a facility to this city and, being recreation-minded and having followed "The Prospect story" over the years, has been deeply concerned about the current pool possibly being on the verge of demise.
Consider the value of a new, refreshing recreational opportunity's potential impact on discouraging youth from getting in trouble.
Whatever the correct explanation, the new pool as depicted by city leaders is destined to be a beacon of love-for-community about which Altoona will be able to brag and otherwise feel proud for many years.
Certainly, the newness of the pool and any new, modern associated amenities will make the pool-to-come an attraction even to people or families who, for whatever reason, stopped frequenting the pool sometime in the past. Unfortunately, in the pool's past, before the city took over its operation from the Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission, behavioral problems did exist at the current facility until the city beefed up pool-related security.
A commitment to well-thought-out security measures must remain in place after the new pool opens, which is estimated to take place by the summer of 2026.
The Central Blair Commission had suggested that the current pool was too much of a financial drain due to its age, limited life expectancy, the cost of repairing or replacing it, as well as the cost of recruiting staff.
The generous donor, coupled with city security measures, would seem to be capable of addressing whatever lingering security concerns there might be from the current pool.
A previous estimate of the price of doing a total replacement was $4.5 million to $5 million. Under the current proposal involving the donor's contribution, the city will be required to provide about $1.5 million toward the project.
What a great investment all of that will be for young and old alike.