News-Record.com

I do not live in Greensboro, if I did the answer would be NO. If a pool was a good idea, private money would already have one. Much like the nightmare on Elm St, it would be a constant drain on taxpayers DOLLARS.

Please keep bring this bond request up until it passes.

I want to know where will this pool be located..... Will it be on the well to do side of town or in the not so well to do side of town..... People always want us to approve these ammenites but they usally only cater to one sec of people.... why can't private money pay for this? Don't we already have recreaction centers that have pools for public use.

"Will you support the pool bond this time?"

Help me out here. I've lost track.

Which time are we talking about? The 08 version?

Or the 09 version, should the they fail to fool enough voters into passing the 08 version?

Oh, one more thing: Does a realistic cost/benefit/usage analysis exist for this project, rather than the good old anecdotal cheerleading that some people think is all that's needed?

Or are we talking Greenway Redux?

I am sure that Mr. Barber and the others so interested in this aquatic center will be able to find private dollars to fund this "multi million dollar gem" for the city.

Matt Brown said we should bulldoze part of the colliseum if we weren't going to fix it. Good idea.
Fill the hole up with water for swimming and see if the hole would generate enough profit to maintain the whole mess. I doubt it.
Greensboro folks have had enough of the give away government attitude. No, No, No.

WOW. The negativity meter is off the chart. I'll try to address some concerns and give some facts and opinions to help those who might really want them. First this bond isnt just a pool, there are numerous maintenance issues with the existing pools, new soccer filelds, upgrades to Barber Park (i think), etc. And BTW, the existing pools are in real need of maintenance and upgrades. BIG TIME.

I assume the first post is referring to The CVM. The CVM generates millions of dollars every year. It is true the complex itself runs at a defecit. But money (and lots of it, millions) does come into the local economy along with the associated taxes. So the building itself losing money is not anywhere near the entire equation. Only those who choose to ignore the entire big picture believe the CVM is a money loser.

Parks and Rec will decide where the facility will be located. A centralized location is considered desirable in order to best serve the entire community.

This is the third attempt going back appx 10 years or so. A good case could be made from last week's article by Emily Stephenson that we really should have done this then. But that is neither here nor there.

I would look for supporters to provide a solid cost/benefit analysis in the upcoming weeks. As well as some realistic figures on economic impact. Information is a good thing and the citizenry should make an informed decision with accurate information, numbers and facts. Using historical data from nearby, similar facilities (Pullen Park in Raleigh and The MAC in Charlotte) as a model we should be able to provide realistic analysis. Most pools of this nature, even well run, well used facilities run at a defecit. Which, btw, is EXACTLY WHY there are so few private commercial pools. Hopefully, that answers a few questions right there. This is where economic impact and quality of life issues come into play. Take em or leave em.

We would love to build a pool with private donations. Got any connections? Local institutions with real deep pocketed alumni even have trouble with that project. I am sure there will be sponsorships, naming rights, etc if the project goes forward. The simple fact is that the vast majority of pools of this nature are publically built and operated.

Does no one simply think that Greensboro should have a decent, indoor, public pool? A facility that many can enjoy at a reasonable cost? Where kids whose families do not have the ability to join one of GSO's private clubs can go. All those swim clubs scattered across the city were built with private money and guess what... they are all private.

All parks lose money. At least this one will generate revenues and taxes in the local economy. Far more than most (if not all) parks anyway. This facility will be as busy as we want it to be with numerous and varied programs, events, swim meets, practices, high school swimming, public swim time, learn to swim and water safety classes, etc. With a 50 meter x 25 yard pool much of this can and will be done simutaneously. The models for our success are out there. Keep watch for the info.

Here us out and make an informed decision. That is all I ask. Thanks

Around 50 comments on this subject at two local blogs.
I provided links but I believe they were caught in a spam filter.
I'll try this.
busybeingbornblog dot com
hoggsblog dot com

Okay Mick...... Why wasn't a better plan in place to make sure these exsisting pools could be maintained before they were built. The City seems to find money for everything else. And how do you get the words soccer field out of pool bond. And what does centralized location mean to the Parks & Rec. or to families who want to use this facility and can't use it because they can't afford it (and I am sure this will not be a FREE ADMISSION facility) or get to it. I am sure Parks & Rec already has an idea of where they would like to place this soccer field and pool......... If they can't tell me why should I vote for it. And another thing we have the Proelific Center here that has 3 soccer/lacrosse fields, 3 baseball/softball fields, 3 basketball/volleyball courts. I thinking the only thing missing is the pool. Why can't these folks who want the pool get with these private folks and build them one.

Its not just a pool bond. There is money for maintenance of existing pools, money for new playing fields, money for Barber Park. Try actually reading the bond info before diving in... pun intended. You will have to ask JR about the misnomer used here.

The existing pools do need to be maintained and upgraded. We have been on P&R, The City and Guilford County schools about maintenance, repairs and upgrades for some time. You'll have to ask the owners of the facilities and P&R about your concerns there. Not me. Im just a user. BTW "before they were built" now that is kinda funny.

Why didnt we think about approaching Ricky Proehl.... oh yea ... we did. No was his answer. Pools are not good business which is exactly why the vast majority of such facilities are municipally owned and operated. BTW membership at PP is nowhere near cheap.

We have numerous private pools in this town. We are advocating for a quality, public, 12 month facility. One that is usable by many in our community and one that will actually generate revenues to help offset the costs.

I have no idea as to the location. I doubt admission will be free. You will need to address those questions to P&R as well. I would like to assume usage fees will be as inexpensive as possible with daily, quarterly and yearly fees for individuals and families. If it helps think of this as a park which will actually make every attempt to pull its own weight financially. All parks lose money but this one will generate dollars others really do not. It will also bring real money to the local economy for numerous events.

Smith HS has an indoor pool. This pool at one time was open to the public. What happen did it spring a leak? Do other schools have pools that can be used? I haven't heard anyone say anything about the Smith HS pool or other school pools. I guess that doesn't fit the "Tax and Spend All Your Money" crowd's agenda.
At least "mick" did have the guts to say one thing we can all agree on; "Most pools of this nature, even well run, well used facilities run at a defecit." That's exactly what we need to hear. Thank you Mick for saying it. This is going to be another BIG HOLE the tax payers will continue to have to try to fill (just like the White Elephant on Lee St) and the cost is NEVER ENDING.

Dump the conspiracy crap. Smith HS has been mentioned numerous times on numerous blogs.

Smith and Grimsley (both built in the 70's) are incapable of handling a swim meet of any magnitude, are open to the public on only a very limited basis and are in need of repairs, upgrades and maintenance.

Again, I cannot help you if you really think The CVM is a money loser when all aspects of generated revenues, taxes, etc are included in the calculations. Not to mention quality of life aspects.

And why is my name in quotes?