Barber makes a splash
Maybe inspired by Dara Torres, Mike Barber dove into an old issue and came up a winner tonight.
A first-class competitive indoor swimming facility is in play again.
Unhappy -- make that VERY unhappy -- with the proposed $20 million parks bond heading for the November ballot, Barber questioned why his advocacy for the swim facility had apparently been ignored. A sometimes-acrimonious discussion saw Barber and Mitch Johnson getting a bit testy with each other, Robbie Perkins snapping at Barber for wrongly characterizing his view on the pool and a disembodied Sandra Anderson Groat (on the phone from home) scolding everyone for talking over each other.
When it was done, Council voted 5-4 to back Barber's motion to include a swimming facility on the bond.
Except it wasn't done. Johnson, relishing the opportunity to splash some cold water on Barber's victory, asked Barber if he could define exactly what kind of swimming facility had just been approved.
"No, I can't," said Barber. But he mentioned a sum: $20 million.
"I'm not asking the price, I'm asking the intended purpose," said Johnson.
Barber was talking about a first-class competitive facility that could host major meets -- just the kind that voters rejected two years ago when the projected cost was $9 million.
Now it's a lot more -- up to $18 million, according to Johnson.
After all, the 2006 version was going to fall under the Coliseum umbrella, which would allow many efficiencies and cost savings.
Whatever. If this one indeed would cost $18 million, and the parks bond total is going to stick at $20 million, that's bad news for all the other parks projects contemplated.
Well, nothing's set in stone. There will be a public hearing on all this, and more, July 16. The pool is on the table. Let the people speak.
Sink or swim, this issue just won't quit.
Like Dara Torres.
Comments (7)
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Can you tell us who voted for Mike's motion?
Posted on July 8, 2008 8:55 AM
I've left my note on that at home. My limited powers of recall give me Barber, Wade, Rakestraw and Mayor Johnson. Someone else please help me on the fifth. Matheny?
Posted on July 8, 2008 9:14 AM
There is a large, brand new competitive pool in Cary. The Tarheel Aquatic Center. It seems to keep busy but is expensive to train in or rent for a meet. There should be some good numbers (costs, economic impact, visitors, etc) from that though it has not been open long. The TAC is privately owned and run but I have always maintained that sans a sugar daddy with more money than sense pools need to be publically funded. They are not a money maker as a stand alone business but do bring dollars to town. Of course, there is the old quality of life thing too.
There are numerous private swim teams, High Schools, Masters, etc in this town "making do" with a series of pools (Gso College, Guilford College, Grimsley HS, Smith HS, Bryan Y and in the summer - Lindley Park). Most of these pools are antiquated and in some state of disrepair. All are inadequate to run a quality, large swim meet. Indeed, many kids do not swim for their high school or for a private club due to the horrid logistics. As usual Gso has waited far, far too long to move forward on something. But the public has spoken... twice.
The voters have twice voted against a pool package and I respect that. As a recent inductee into the city limits this time my wife and I can vote! Just need to find several thousand more.
Doug, if you would like to discuss Greensboro competitive swimming, the pool situation, etc.... I can hook you up with some rather well versed folks.
Mick
Posted on July 8, 2008 1:22 PM
Thanks, Mick. It the pool makes it to the bond referendum, we certainly will be talking with the advocates. Suggestions on whom we should speak to will be appreciated.
Posted on July 8, 2008 2:17 PM
Good grief. The economy is sluggish, fuel prices are at all-time highs, taxes are rising and county voters approved hundreds of millions of new spending in May. And now we're talking about MORE bonds? For a swimming pool?!?
People in Guilford County need to realize that bonds aren't free money. We pay for them in the form of higher taxes -- which is about the last thing we need right now.
Given the state of the economy, city leaders should be thinking of ways to cut spending, not ways to spend more money.
Posted on July 8, 2008 4:18 PM
That's what Dianne Bellamy-Small was saying.
Posted on July 8, 2008 4:29 PM
Why no mention of the rehab of War Memorial?Why just the pool? I believe the motion to put WM on the ballot passed 9-0. I could be wrong but I think it is much higher than the pool bond will be.
I dont entirely disagree with "just saying" on the timing. Folks didnt want it when the economy was better. I dont see them passing it now.
We should have done all this the first time around 9 or 10 years ago. Again, GSO waits until its too late and ends up paying through the nose for stuff all at once (schools are a perfect example).
I know it seems trivial to some but competitive swimming is hanging on by a thread here in Guilford County due to a lack of adequate facilities. Kids are being held back or simply not being exposed to swimming. Minorities in particular. We are missing out on a great youth sport. And Diving? What diving?
Doug, if this goes forward next Wednesday I will get you some numbers and/or emails. I know the two gentleman that the city has consulted with on this issue as well as the President of The Greensboro Swimming Association. I am sure they would be glad to interview.
Of course you could go out to City Meet this weekend at Lindley Park Pool (another crumbling relic in need of overhaul) and interview the 2300 swimmers and their parents. However, that might provide a skewed result :)
Posted on July 9, 2008 8:59 AM