Parks & Rec bonds pass
Among the surprises in Tuesday's election results were the bonds in Greensboro.
War Memorial Auditorium failed once again, despite a strong push by well-organized proponents. While that was disappointing, it was hardly a shock, given the $50 million price tag.
Also as expected, the housing and street improvement bonds passed,
But the Parks and Recreation bonds also passed muster with voters. Huh?
This package was easily the least urgent, containing a new $12 million swim center.
As I've posted before, I will be proud as punch of the new facility when it is built. But I still see it as a low priority during a waning economy.
Comments (5)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
I think this is simple math involving the number of folks who swim, use parks, etc. vs. the number of folks who attend the highbrow events at War Memorial. It's Joe Sixpack vs. the wine-and-cheese crowd.
Plus swimming is a kind of suburban cult in Greensboro.
Posted on November 5, 2008 2:45 AM
I believe the P&R bond passed by the largest margin as well. Lets fix what we have asap and then begin the process of site selection, design, maybe even courting private money for upgrades so when the time is right we can proceed with the Greensboro Aquatic Center. Sorry Allen, we tried to tell you it was our time but you wouldnt listen. This facility is needed (as much as a pool can be a need) on many levels. Our existing facilities are weak. A city of our size should have some sort of municipal swim facility. Now, someday, we will have one. I can only hope my daughter will get to race in the thing someday.
Thank you to the citizens of Greensboro. Now lets all get together and make this faciltiy and the programs it will offer something we can all utilize and be proud of!
Posted on November 5, 2008 9:12 AM
We are way ahead of other cities on roads, parks and open space. What we are behind on is job creation. If the taxes are too high, companies will not select Greensboro. They will select other NC counties that have almost everything we have plus much lower taxes. It would be nice if we were rich enough to have everything. I fear that we are not. I may be wrong.
Posted on November 6, 2008 5:53 PM
The bonds for the Park and Recreation projects will not be issued for one to two years at the minimum. The pool facility may open at the earliest three years. Also of note, Mecklenburg County just passed a $250,000,000 Park and Recreation Bond. There were 10 to 15 projects, with one of the larger projects being facility improvements to the Revolution Park. The park already contains a large aquatic facility funded previously by P&R. The citizens voted 62% in favor of the 2008 bond.
Posted on November 7, 2008 4:39 PM
There is at least one upside to these bonds. They may provide badly needed jobs.
Posted on November 17, 2008 10:44 PM