The Town and County of Barrhead are travelling down a dangerous road when it comes to the recent pool situation.
During my journalistic travels, I have seen Town and County Councils disagree on a wide variety of topics where projects were delayed and I believe the two local municipalities are following the same dangerous path.
The Town and County have accomplished one thing that I have not seen during my time as a reporter and that is they have agreed that the Town of Barrhead needs a pool. They have also almost agreed on the capital investment from both municipalities for the project. The only stumbling block currently facing the two Councils is the operational costs of the pool once it is constructed.
Here is my take on the current situation and it involves some give and take on the part of both Councils. The Town is willing to pay $7 million of the capital costs while the County is only willing to pay $5 million. I believe the Town should drop their amount to $6 million and the County should match that amount. If this was agreed to, both municipalities could then go to Woodlands County and ask them for the remaining $2 million. If this was to happen, the three municipalities would have all of the capital investment needed to complete the project.
In regards to the operating costs, the Town wants the County to enter into a 50-50 shared agreement for all operational costs while the County is only willing to pay 40 per cent of certain operational costs, excluding staffing and salary costs. I believe the Town should allow the County to pay 40 per cent, but of all operational costs, while the Town pays 50 per cent of all operating costs. This would equal 90 per cent and Woodlands County has already said they would commit to ten per cent of all operational costs. If this was agreed upon, the municipalities would have all of the funding for operational costs as well.
During my very brief time here, I have met and spoken with both Councils regarding the pool project and I truly believe both Councils have the best interests of the residents at heart when it comes to the pool. They have both agreed that a pool is needed, so I implore them to overcome these minor issues, come to the bargaining table with an open mind, and be willing to bend a little in their stance on the issue. If the Town and County can do that, I believe Barrhead will be enjoying a pool in the not so distant future.
