As I took one last walk around the Cruz Center yesterday I was relieved to see that the pool, which had remained dry since the first day we arrived, was finally being filled. All along Mike McKeown and George Jones told us it, in fact, would be open this summer but it with each hot day that came and went I had this bad feeling lurking in the back of my mind, "What if it doesn't open, where would all these kids go?" The Cruz Center's pool is one of the few that will be staying open this summer due to Mayor Nutter's budget cuts.
With all the closings in the area, Cruz will be very busy this year with people traveling a little further to get there. And because money is tight, everywhere, there isn't much room for hiring more lifeguards so there will be plenty of overtime for those who are already employed by Cruz. I walked around as volunteers cleaned the pool and it's surrounding area's of the trash and broken glass that had built up over the winter months. Neighborhood kids (and some adults) yelled through the fence asking if and when it would be opening this year. I was delighted to tell them the good news.
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Spending time in Ludlow was nothing like I expected it to be and I'm really glad to have had the experience. It has been a learning one indeed. Although there weren't many big events happening in the streets of Ludlow, the small ones we attended were most enjoyable. From the little league game controversy and talking to Kaliyah to the 'Ludlow Homes' effort we have met some very kind and generous people who were happy to have us there. So to all of the people that gave us the time of day, Thank You!
By Shannon Spillman and Mike Price, Ludlow-15
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