La Mesa EcoparkJUST in time for summer, the new La Mesa Ecopark swimming complex in Quezon City that includes saltwater pools was inaugurated on March 5.

Saltwater pools are the safer choice, not only to avoid skin irritation and the burning sensation in the eyes that chlorinated pools give us. Parents should be aware of the health risks posed by chlorinated pools, especially to children, who “inhale more air per unit of body weight than adults.”

Aside from being a skin irritant and an “aggravating factor in asthma,” chlorine combines with organic compounds in water to form triahalomethanes, carcinogens that are usually stored in the body’s fatty tissues. Bladder cancer, breast cancer and malignant melanomas are only some of the diseases that have been linked to the chemical and its by-products.

AFI managing director Gina Lopez led in formally opening the facility, which includes a new six-lane, standard short-course freshwater pool and two saltwater kiddy/wading pools.

The swimming pool has been one of La Mesa Ecopark’s main attractions, attracting large volumes of customer especially during summer vacation. With the new pool complex, La Mesa Ecopark hopes to meet this demand and increase revenues while at the same time upholding safety standards.

Entrance fee to La Mesa Ecopark is P40 for kids below three feet and P80 for those three feet and above.