Town of Barrhead’s latest pool ultimatum could prevent the region’s residents from ever getting a new aquatic centre.
The Town has forced the County’s hand as it relates to a new aquatic centre and, as most people know, when there is an ultimatum people tend to get their backs up. This situation is no different and it would be shocking if the County accepted the Town’s offer.
The Town could have taken a different approach to the current pool situation. After receiving the County’s latest offer, they could have taken a step back and considered other alternatives such as bringing in a mediator or arbitrator. The Town chose not to do this and, as such, the final decision rests in the hands of the County.
It is a shame that the pool situation has come down to one final offer, especially since the two municipalities were so close to getting a deal done. The Town and County have agreed in principle on the two biggest stumbling blocks but neither party was willing to budge on operational costs. The Town wouldn’t deviate from asking the County for 40 per cent of the net operating costs while the County wouldn’t change policy and include staffing costs in their last proposal.
If the pool does fall apart in the near future, it will be because two municipalities were unwilling to accept and embrace change. To be honest, weren’t the Town and County Councillors elected to office to do what is best for the region’s residents … guess not.
