Is this the time to be asking the public for money for a pool? In a time when safety net organizations are in danger of closing for lack of funding, how can we make an aquatic wellness center a priority?
Spence: When agencies like Easter Seals have closed, groups like Big Brothers Big Sisters fighting for survival and countless other non profits, that tend to the wellness of the less fortunate in our community, are struggling to provide services why on Earth would we want to give to the building of a pool? That's a tough sell in my opinion.
Kate: Who doesn't want a pool in their community (rhetorical question, no need for specific answers)? I want a pool, but the cost of maintaining a pool is so expensive that the pools we did have can't afford to stay open. The dream of a pool is easier to create than the reality of a pool. Is no one else concerned about the fundraising model SwimPossible is proposing? Do foundations exist locally that can even consider giving grants for building of an aquatic center when kids are going hungry, people are losing their homes and school budgets are being cut to the bone? I don't think there is a foundation in Humboldt County that can realistically give money to an aquatic center when Vector Rehabilitation is raising money to rehabilitate the old Easter Seals pool, St. Joe's is making a final push to finish paying for their new construction and several major non-profits are planning capital campaigns. Yikes. Someone with fundraising acumen needs to sit down with SwimPossible get them off the high dive.
6 comments:
Wow, 25 Million !!!!! Some pool thats going to be.
One need look no further than Fort Brag to update yourselves on the expenses of building and maintaining an Aquatic Center. Fort Brag has constructed the most fabulous swimming and health center that you can even imagine. Most of the funding came from a generous donor, but the expenses of maintaining the place, heating the water, and the air conditioning are HUGE. I feel like a traitor to advise against such an undertaking, but we have an example to use in our own back yard. I'm with Spence on this one...
The pool in Fort Bragg is named after my aunt “Tessie Branscomb”, who taught most every kid in Fort Bragg, for the past forty years, how to swim.
Air Conditioning in Fort Bragg? Really?
The air conditioner is to remove the humidity. Also, heat is an air "condition". With the heat AND cool on, it dehumidifies. But, you would have to be an air-conditioning contractor to understand all that. Oops! I am…
Also, the airconditioners can be water cooled from the pool water, which in turn heats the pool water. Kind of a heat-pump pool water heater / air dehumidifier.
It actually makes sense in Fort Brag! Really!
I am so with you two on this one. I think it's ludicrous.
P.S. Wiley's Supermarket in Hayfork carries brown bread with raisins in a can for 3.79. There was a whole display right underneath the giant tubs of red vines. I even took a picture for you. Seems like the price has gone up - it must be a hot commodity.
Post a Comment