Having issued formal complaints to both the Gordon Pool itself and the Tel Aviv Municipality to no avail, I figured making use of my blog might help solve the issue of smoking at the beach-side facility. For those who aren’t familiar with it, we’re talking about a beautiful, newly-renovated compound with a sea-water, Olympic-size pool and a state-of-the-art gym, enjoyed by tourists and locals alike especially during the city’s hotter months (so basically every month but January & February).
Feel free to pass this on if you share my sentiments.
Dear Gordon Pool,
I’d like to draw your attention to the phenomenon of smoking around your pool, despite multiple non-smoking signs displayed prominently around the area.
Over the past few months, both during the week and on weekends (a recent period of “funemployment” gave me the opportunity to enjoy your facilities to the max), I’ve visited the pool both to exercise, and to enjoy the pleasant summertime atmosphere. More than once, I’ve been forced to move chairs or even give up and leave the area altogether due to other patrons’ smoking. I’ve seen people smoking cigarettes, cigars and joints alike, even within meters of the lifeguard station. I’ve asked staff to sort out the issue and had them agree and then blatantly ignore me. Perhaps this behavior, along with the built-in ashtrays in the plastic tables around the pool, is giving patrons the wrong message?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to be a party-pooper here. I smoked for years, I get that it’s fun. Unfortunately it’s also disgusting and bothers non-smokers, particularly annoying ex-smokers like me. I’m not going to make a fuss about people mixing cheap vodka with fake Red Bull around the pool, though that certainly doesn’t lend itself to the spirit of health either. I understand that this is a sport and leisure facility, but you guys put the signs up yourselves, so I’m sure you’ll agree that smoking is a different story.
I strongly believe that there is no place for smoking at a facility which aims to promote healthy living, and that your staff are being negligent by failing to stamp out the phenomenon. I urge you – please sort out this issue once and for all so your loyal, paying customers can breathe freely as they enjoy the pool.
Sincerely,
Elana Kirsh
Mama in the Moment 