Just how important are recreational facilities to the growth and well being of its citizens? Even though both the town and county residents have both voted in favour of borrowing $5 and $7 million towards the building of a new aquatic centre it looks
Just how important are recreational facilities to the growth and well being of its citizens?
Even though both the town and county residents have both voted in favour of borrowing $5 and $7 million towards the building of a new aquatic centre it looks like the project may be in jeopardy.
The issue in question is the operating costs of the facility. In an ultimatum to the county, Barrhead Town Council said it would not proceed any further with the project unless the county pays at least 40 per cent of the operating costs, estimated to be between $125,000 to $200,000 a year. A percentage so far the county has balked at. Now the town has suggested it will build the pool, with or without the county as long as it can have access to the county's $5 million.
Of course, the county would then be relegated to the role of silent partner.
According to Barrhead councillor Don Smith, the town would still be able to afford to operate the facility, but the town would have to defer other projects. From a county prospective, this is a good deal from a strictly financial sense. Yes, it would mean the county would not get a say in the design, construction or the running of the aquatic centre, but that is relatively a small issue. The pool would get built and at a lower cost to the county.
The biggest question residents of both the county and the town should ask themselves is why it has been allowed to go this far. Both parties should have come to an agreement on all facets of the project from design, construction and operating costs and who was responsible for what before they put it to a plebiscite.
It is unfortunate it had to come to this, and perhaps, cooler heads may yet prevail and come up with an acceptable compromise for both parties.
However, even if they don't and the pool project goes nowhere, is that the end of the world?
Many county and town residents have said if the pool does not go forward it will eventually mean the death of Barrhead. They argue recreational facilities, like a pool, help attract and keep residents and businesses to the area. Without them regions wither and die.
Perhaps, that is true to a degree, but there are other more important factors at play.
The first two would be employment and housing. Can a person or a family find employment and a place to lay their heads that will allow them to live comfortably without going bankrupt? People then look at the availability of healthcare, schools for their children and what type of business services are available. Recreation facilities, may tip a person's decision, but not before other more important criteria are met.
Eventually, cooler heads will prevail and the town and the county will come to a compromise and the aquatic centre will proceed, but if it does not it is not the worst thing that can happen.
The money that was earmarked for the pool can be put towards any number of projects that would enhance the community and attract potential residents.
