His commitment to his health is strong enough that the 72-year-old Millican, of Temple, tries to swim three times a week, just as he has for more than 30 years.
Millican's destination is the 84-degree water he finds at his new haunt, the recently opened Sammons Park Indoor Pool on West Avenue D. Before the pool opened in August, Millican was a regular at the now-closed Temple College pool.
"If I don't get enough exercise I won't be able to do what little I can do," said Millican, who is retired. "Swimming is the only aerobic exercise I can do well. I had polio as a child and I have a bad leg so I can't run or anything like that."
The heated indoor Sammons pool seems to be a hit with other swimmers, as well. There were 280 pool cards sold in August and 268 in September, said Charity Diaz, aquatics coordinator for Sammons pool. Pool punch cards cost $20.
Diaz, who previously worked with the program at the Temple College pool, said that's a significant increase over the average monthly sales of 100 cards there. Closed in August, the TC pool space will be converted into a practice gym as funds are available.
"We've had just about everybody follow us over and then some," Diaz said. "We've more than doubled our participation. They like the fact that this is their own facility and a home for our programs and they can make it what they want it."
The $1.59 million pool was part of the $9.75 million parks bond in 2007. There are periods of open swimming, as well as classes like water volleyball, aerobics and liquid tai chi.
"It is a pool open to everyone, but naturally during the daytime we do have programs serving the senior citizen population," said Ken Cicora, Temple parks director. "Being indoor and heated, we also have the ability to offer swimming lessons for kids year-round."
Pool hours are 6:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. It's also available for open swimming from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
Semi-private lessons and private party rentals are offered on weekends.
Staff are in the process of getting the 25-yard, four-lane pool certified with the American Arthritis Foundation, Diaz said. Requirements include keeping the pool above a minimum temperature, meeting accessibility requirements and offering instructors who are certified to work with arthritis patients, Diaz said.
About 60 percent of swimmers are senior citizens, Diaz said. Also making use of the new pool are children with special needs, as well as adults who are recovering from medical conditions, she said. The pool is equipped with a ramp, stairs and a lift.
Josie Morris, 70, said the exercise makes a difference in her health.
"I can move better," Morris said. "I get around a lot better. I can tell when I don't swim for a week."
