Dear Editor,
In response to County Councillors finally speaking out about the pool issue and trying to smell like a rose: finally the real point has been stated. Price, they are worried about price. Well, if this thing could have gotten built 10 years ago (I was on the Rec Board and we were haggling around the same issue—can we afford it), it would have cost 10 million. Unfortunately, sitting on the fence has cost us 3-7 million.
You say you need the final number. How final do you want the number, so you can split hairs if it isn’t penny on? It’s pretty difficult to get the final number until the decision to proceed is taken and the project goes to tender. Kudos to Town Council for taking a leap of faith and buying the land. There are currently three designs proposed. Is this not enough information to allow your county residents to make a reasonable choice?
Using another example; sometimes we can be very surprised at the price of something especially if we have not purchased it in a while. Take for example building a house. What we know is the estimated price per square foot and then after you get over the “gasp” and realize this is a necessary thing and then look at the means to afford what you decided on. You may forgive some size and some features to suit your budget, but in the end you will adjust to the price.
There is some room here as well to consider size and features HOWEVER there comes a point where we need to build a product that will service our needs not only now but 50-60 years into the future. Only then we can be proud that we made a good decision, just like the visionaries of 1968 decided and ponied up for us. There is no point in spending 10 million to get us something that only partially services our needs.
When leadership is “worried” about the price, you transmit this worry to your taxpayers. Your thinking small just brings the entire community down. It is time to stand up and be leaders or step aside and let others lead. In my opinion and in the opinion of other business leaders in the community, if we don’t do this, we may as well put a ‘closed for business’ sign up on our town.
Real life experience (promotion at trade fairs) has shown that the first question asked by potential newcomers is “do you have a pool or golf course.” After that they ask about schools and hospital. This has become a no-brainer and the continued heal dragging or flat out heals dug in deep is just making the price go up.
It’s gonna cost about 15-18 million to get us something that will be useful for all ages and stages. Operating costs are going to go up. But remember users will also go up. We will have created jobs and there will have been an economic boost. We have to look at this like a ‘cost of doing business’ and it has to be part of both budgets, County and Town.
We have to STOP the conflict between councils. Roads are important but soon those roads will be taking you to Westlock, Whitecourt or Spruce Grove to access a facility we could have had here. And your personal budget will shift from having supported the pool project to putting gas in your car.
Start thinking progressive. Think of ways to maintain and grow your community. Be the leaders you have been elected to be. Sell the concept. Remind rate payers that for the price of a cup of coffee a day, we can have a state of the art facility that will insure our survival in small town Alberta. The cost of NOT doing it will be much greater than cinching in our belts and getting it done, finally. Look for ways to work with the town. Bring forward your ideas. Work together for the benefit of us all.
I urge all County ratepayers to step forward and tell your Councillor what you want. I know that you already gave them your blank cheque each time you voted for them. Tell them you have trusted them to make decisions that are in your best interest. And remember to think about the value you have on your farm; will it have the same value if the nearest place to do business becomes further and further away. I urge you to help Barrhead thrive and grow, to insure the value of your investment and to pay it forward, thinking of the legacy you are leaving to your children as Barrhead continues to be a great place to call home.
Sincerely,
Rita Lyster
