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To the Members of the Fremont County School District Board of Trustees and the Lander Community,
My name is Gwynaedd Howdyshell. I was born and raised in Lander, Wyoming, and graduated from Lander Valley High School in 2013. I am writing as a concerned community member regarding the recent budget reductions affecting the Bruce Gresly Aquatic Center, including increased admission costs, reduced operating hours, and disruptions to programming and accessibility.
The Bruce Gresly Aquatic Center is far more than a recreational facility. It is a vital community resource that provides opportunities for physical health, social connection, education, and public safety. For me personally, it was life-changing.
I joined the Lander Swim Club at nine years old while navigating the instability of my parents’ divorce, undiagnosed ADHD, and a difficult home environment. Swimming gave me structure, confidence, community, and a healthy outlet for my energy. From that point forward, I spent much of my childhood and young adulthood in and around the pool.
I swam for the Lander Swim Club, Starrett Junior High, and Lander Valley High School, earning multiple school, club, and state records along with All-State, Conference Champion, and State Champion honors. Swimming ultimately led me to compete at the collegiate level, earn bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Clinical Psychology, complete a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and eventually open my own private practice as a therapist.
I also worked at the aquatic center as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and coach until leaving for college. The pool was not only where I trained and worked—it was a second home.
At times, it was quite literally my refuge. During periods of housing instability in high school, I slept in my car in the pool parking lot. Many mornings, Bruce Gresly would wake me with a knock on my window as he arrived to open the facility at 5:00 a.m. I would attend practice, work throughout the day, return for afternoon training, coach younger swimmers, and often finish the evening lifeguarding. The pool provided safety, mentorship, stability, and belonging during some of the most difficult years of my life.
Today, as a mental health counselor, I understand even more clearly the importance of community resources like the Bruce Gresly Aquatic Center. While I recognize the financial challenges facing the district and understand that difficult budget decisions must be made, I encourage the Board to consider the broader impact of reducing access to aquatic facilities and programming.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5–14. More than 4,000 Americans die from unintentional drowning each year, and drowning rates have increased in recent years. Research also shows that children living in rural communities face significantly higher drowning risks than those in urban areas, due in part to increased exposure to rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and irrigation canals, as well as fewer opportunities for formal swim instruction.
For communities like Lander, where water recreation is part of everyday life, swimming is not simply a sport—it is a lifesaving skill. Affordable access to swim lessons and aquatic facilities is an investment in public safety.
Beyond water safety, community facilities like the aquatic center promote physical health, positive youth development, social connection, and mental well-being. They provide structured activities, mentorship opportunities, employment for local youth, and a safe place for community members of all ages to gather and grow.
I am not asking the Board to ignore financial realities. Rather, I am asking for compromise and collaboration to preserve meaningful access to a resource that has served generations of Lander residents. The value of the Bruce Gresly Aquatic Center extends far beyond its operating budget.
The aquatic center helped shape the person I became. It provided me with opportunity when I lacked resources, community when I felt isolated, and stability when I needed it most. I know firsthand that its impact cannot be measured solely in dollars and cents.
Thank you for your time, consideration, and service to our community.
Respectfully,
Gwynaedd ‘G$’ Howdyshell,
Lander Valley High School Class of 2013