I feel strongly that the proposed YMCA pool in Auburn should be 25 yards in length instead of 20 yards, because the difference in length from the regulation size pools causes a disadvantage for swimmers on the Twin Cities Swim Team.

Because of the difference in length, TCST swimmers do not get as many yards of practice as the other swimmers in Maine. We used to practice at the YWCA in Lewiston but, because of a conflict, no longer practice there.

When our swimmers show up for practice, there have to be six-to-eight people swimming in one lane. If we had more lanes to swim in, it would be easier to do the warm-ups and the drills we need to do.

I think the city of Auburn and the YMCA should build a new and better pool which includes more lanes for our swimmers to spread out in, and a longer pool (25 yards) so that the field will be equal, and we can dominate at our meets.

McKenzee Cox, Auburn