Comments on: More pool closures

By: Ray Dixon

Ray Dixon — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:51:58 +0000

Yes, the supermarket will reduce local “escape spending” as well as servicing tourists thereby improving Bright’s economy. What’s the correlation with a community pool though? It’s not as if we currently have a huge amount of local people “escaping” to swimming centres elsewhere and even if we did, so what? It’s not an economic benefit to give them a pool.

Get real, Wal, there aren’t enough users in this area to justify what now looks like being about a $1.5 million investment. And as for Harrietville having “a very large population”, er what, about 400? It’s just ridiculous to claim Harrietville residents should have a council pool within 10-15 minutes.

Anyway, the council has decided to go ahead. The point I’m making is that it’s going to be a real blunder and only time will prove me right. But it will.

By: Wal

Wal — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:43:34 +0000

Ray, there is a correlation between this case and the Coles issue – or dont you remember all the trouble the developer and Shire went to in order to demonstrate that the supermarket application was mainly to draw in the local permanent catchment populations? There were quite a few “reports” submitted which I can easily send you to jog your memory.

And as for people driving 30-45 minutes to Wangaratta in winter?? Actually its at least 45 minutes from Bright and well over an hour from places like Harrietville (which by the way has a very large population of young adults with children). They wont be happy one bit with that kind of travel for swimming lessons, especially with todays fuel prices.

Remember – not everyone wants the same things YOU do. A lot of people do want reasonable access for swimming lessons and hydrotherapy, and Bright just happens to have the facility for that – providing this option for thousands of people.

Ray, your arguments just dont stack up. Our area NEEDS this facility and Council has done the proper thing to ensure it continues functioning. End of story.

By: Ray Dixon

Ray Dixon — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:23:27 +0000

Wal, LeisureCo is not like a normal “private operator”, it’s a philanthropic organisation whose primary aim is to provide community benefits, not to make profits, and the fact that they’ve folded indicates the lack of demand for what it provides.

I guess people are cutting back on things like recreational swimming & gym membership. That seems to be the case if you research the industry.

And NO, it does NOT automatically follow that “If a private operator can’t make it happen then it’s up to local government to fund it.” What’s wrong with waiting until market conditions improve?

Btw, there’s no correlation between this and the Coles (now Woolies) supermarket. The supermarket is owned by a corporation that has decided it will work here because of our large tourist trade, whereas the pool is a community facility with very little tourist appeal. Chalk & cheese.

And no, it’s not “harsh” to suggest people drive 30 – 45 minutes for their private lifestyle pursuits when they live in a small town like Bright. I’ve done it, what’s the big deal?

By: Wal

Wal — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:25:33 +0000

Ray, this issue at Moira merely highlights the importance of having public funded facilities in towns.

If a private operator cant make it happen then it’s up to local government to fund it.

And your insistence on having people drive to Wangaratta for swimming lessons and hydrotherapy is harsh and quite plainly, wrong.

As you’ve admitted on this blog (when it suits your cause), Bright is in effect a regional hub supporting many thousands of people over and above the town’s population. If you see a massive new supermarket as such a necessity, then it only follows that families deserve a decent recreational aquatic facility as well.

I know many people at Hotham, Harrietville and other satellite towns who wouldn’t be all that happy to drive their kids all the way to Wang for a swimming lesson. Not to mention our significant seniors needing hydrotherapy.

No Ray, you’re wrong on this one. Perhaps its time for you to start thinking a bit more “civic-minded” and acknowledge the many health benefits that a revamped sports centre would provide the community.

Don’t forget – you missed it’s heyday. Before your time the sports centre was quite a social gathering place providing many health and fitness options. A couple of bad operators meant that it lost its way, so to speak.