Gail Heaslip
"It would be a shame to see this long tradition of diving excellence come to an end."
Since its inception in 1997 until my recent retirement (at age 69), I have been a competitor on the Whirlwind diving team. In 29 years, I have watched Joe Somma nurture and develop hundreds of children, both athletically and personally. Not only is he a technically knowledgeable coach, but he is a caring, enthusiastic person and an excellent role model.
I actually dove at the New Canaan Y as a child back in the 70s. The Y has a long tradition of top-notch diving in Fairfield County and on the East Coast and has produced state, national, and world champions. In fact, the invitational that is held every year in February is the oldest diving invitational in the country. It would be a shame to see this long tradition of diving excellence come to an end.
Please continue to support the diving community by keeping the Valles pool open. If renovations are needed, please proceed with them. But shutting down a long-standing, successful program would be a travesty.