I just wrote this piece for the gumbet forum and I thought I would like to share it the the Antalya forum.
Believe it or not here in Antalya ( large city with a big population ) still does not have a decent indoor swimming pool. Sure there are plenty of 5 star hotels with pools that also charge big fees to use the facilities. But I guess the government of Antalya is only concerned with the touristic part of the city and not to the local people who live, work or study here.
My daughter is a swimmer and usually swims at the Akdeniz University pool ( the only pool available to the public ) but now almost 1 year later Antalya swimmers are still having trouble finding a decent indoor pool. The situation is that one year ago in March after a big wind storm the universities pool's roof blew off !!!! Since that time the swimmers of antalya have been forced to swim either outdoors ( freezing cold ) or at the Titanic Hotel Pool ( outdoors but heated ) located on the other side of the city. She spends well over one hour on the service bus to get to this place. Also there has been forced cancellations of swim meets in Antalya as there is no place to compete.
The government or this fine city feels that swimming is not such a major sport. There has been on going debates and law suits over the 11 milyon ( old money trilyon ) YTL spent over the last 12 years or more for the Olympic size indoor pool located accross for the shereton Hotel. This pool has been built once, never completed, then torn down to begin the process all over again. This second building stands over 60% finished ( left to rot ) over the last 4 years and once again the government wishes to tear it down and build something else. ( sports stadium ) Anyone who drives past this place knows what I am talking about.
We are still waiting for the university pool to be renovated and of course now closed since October to all the citizens and and students. We have been told time and time again ''OH it will be finished next month'' since December and now it is Feb will still not confirmed finish dates.
I do believe that in a year or 2 Antalya will have a much better outlook for pools but for the moment what do this kids do ????? My daughter is sheduled to compete at the end of March for here age group and was unable to attend last months swim meet in Denizli due to this situation ( lack of pool time ). Her normal swimming practice was everday in the pool for the last 2 years but after the collapse of the roof and un-available pools her swimming time is reduced to 4 days a week and 2 days at the gym. This has got to effect her preformance at the up an coming competions this year.
There are 2 projects in the works with the local municpalities but they have not yet started any developments. I laugh when I drive by this one sign that states in turkish '' Say no to Drugs - Yes to Sports '' but where are the facilities to do this ??????? Antalya makes billions of dollars a year on tourism but what does it give back to the local people ??? Just goes into the pockets of the rich I guess.
Sorry for rambling on but this is a touchy subject for me. A frustrated swimmer's MOM
