PORT ANGELES — Ann Marguerite Snell is going to make a splash for her 90th birthday.
Although her official ninth decade begins Friday, Snell will celebrate at the William Shore Memorial Pool today at 9 a.m.
Snell, a vocal advocate for creating the district that allowed the pool to stay open, vowed during the campaign that if the pool were saved, she would spend her 90th birthday in its waters.
Today, she makes good on that vow.
“I had a vision and pledged and will now have it come true,” Snell said.
Because of budget cuts in 2008, the city of Port Angeles had planned to close the pool but kept it open pending a show of public sentiment.
In 2009, the public voted to create a new taxing district to run the pool. The district officially took over running the pool this year.
Snell attributes her good health and ease in getting around to the water exercise at the pool.
In 1977, she injured two ligaments while skiing.
Surgery was required, and afterward, her doctor suggested water exercise — and she hasn’t stopped since.
Working her way through the various levels of skill, she now attends deep-water exercise classes three times a week.
“There have been times that I’ve gone three or four times,” she said, “but lately, I’ve gone three times a week.
“It keeps my back and my legs strong.”
Keeps back strong
The former teacher said she already celebrated her birthday with her four children — Gary, Kaylen Bailey, Jeffrey and Christian — with a party in Colorado last week.
“It is a month of celebrations,” she said.
Ultimately, the party at the pool was important because Snell is intent on spreading the word about using the pool.
“I’ve tried to get more people to join,” she said.
“People worry too much about their hairdos, when they could be improving on their arthritis.”
Mollie Lingvall, a deep-water aerobics instructor, said Snell has consistently impressed the staff at the pool.
“She is amazing,” Lingvall said.
“She’s a very strong lady, and you would never believe she is going to be 90 years old. She is an inspiration to us all.”
The aerobics class focuses on free-form exercise and working against the resistance of the water, Lingvall said.
For more information on the pool or classes, phone 360-417-4595 or visit www.williamshorepool.org.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladaily news.com.
