I really like what I've been reading about a year-round facility which can
be "opened" up for a few summer months.
It surely does sound strange (even foolish?) to build a new outdoor swim
facility which would be used for only a few months.
However, I don't know what the "numbers" will show. I'm not so sure I want
to pay for it! But I'm pretty sure that I'd rather place my bucks on that
project than on some others (all worthy in their own right) mentioned for
our community. Yes, we ought to be able to make choices on projects,
shouldn't we?
Isn't there some way to get numbers for alternatives, and for costs vs
benefits, and take some kind of "straw vote" of public opinion, before going
to the expense and finality of a formal bonding election?????
Now, if only a new swim facility would prevent me from sinking like a big
brick! (No, I'm not a "swim freak". I always got a "C" in college PE when
swimming was the fare. I hated what it did to my GPA! But I think it is a
very attractive idea for Moscow and environs, now.)
MoscowSam
Sam Scripter
scripter@uidaho.edu
-----Original Message-----
From: Lois Melina <lmelina@moscow.com>
To: vision2020@moscow.com <vision2020@moscow.com>
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 1997 6:37 AM
Subject: Re: swimming pool
>The monetary costs also have to be put into a context. It may be cheaper
>initially to build a small outdoor pool, but if it's only going to be used
>two months out of the year, then it's not a very good investment, as John
>points out. An indoor or indoor/outdoor facility is going to be more
>expensive, but may require less of an ongoing maintenance, i.e. operating,
>budget. A 50 meter pool may increase participation so much that it could be
>the most cost effective in the long run--I don't really know how those
>numbers would compare. Then there is the "cost to benefit" ratio. What are
>the intangible benefits to this communityi to having a year-round facility
>that is big enough to include swimming in the school curriculum, to have
>enough aerobics classes and lap time to keep people healthy, to be
>attractive enough that kids would rather go there than to the Mall, to
>provide enough swim classes that we prevent a few drownings, to give young
>parents a place to go during the day with their toddlers during the long
>winter months when they are about to tear their hair out. What are the
>economic benefits to being able to attract the WSU women's swim team,
>various regional swim competitions, master's competitions, etc.
>
>Lois Melina>
Provocative thoughts, Lois!
MoscowSam