The Y has a very good pool. The hours for it suck, but it is a nice pool. There is also the 'water park' in Batavia by the mall. Oh yes, and Darien Lake. No, we do not need a public pool. It would just get trashed, cost taxpayers too much money to implement and maintain, and be just a thorn in ones side in the long-run. Just my opinion, of course... and you know what they say about opinions! :)
I think Batavia's youth would benefit from a public pool. My wife and I struggled all weekend to find things to do to keep our kids cool.
The Y is not tempting in the summertime.
The spraypark, while nice, is no pool.
Strict rules, consistently enforced, would be sufficient to keep a public pool in good shape.
Maybe make the pool semi-public? Some tax-payer money could be used, but the pool could charge admission (day passes, season passes, etc) and sell concessions to offset taxpayer cost.
I know my family would sign up for a membership in a heartbeat.
I think it was MacArthur that had a real pool. Austin and Kibbe had wading pools that were shut down after it was discovered they weren't up to code following a few deaths in the Y pool. I would love to see a public pool again but I'm pretty sure most taxpayers won't agree.
Yes, Beth we did have a pool at MacArthur Park. I think there are basketball courts on it now. It opened sometime in the 60's. It was a great place to go in the summer. We paid a quarter or 50 cents I think and they had lockers for your things and they also sold snacks and drinks. I guess the maintenance got to be too much and it was deteriorating beyond repair. And it seems that no one wanted a new one built.
I would rather see a private business fill the need. It would be great if there was an indoor water park here in Batavia, similar to Splash Lagoon in PA. It would provide great family fun while creating jobs, increasing tourism and tax revenue. Everyone would benefit.
The old pool in McArthur Park use to be called the Greta Paterson pool. It was named in honor of a local minor celeb. who gained fame in the 50s by swimming Lake Erie. It finally died by the harsh WNY Winters and was filled in for tennis courts.
There is always NuLake, just a short drive away in beautiful downtown Bushville. Oh, what wonderful memories I have for NuLake. The Tonawanda Creek behind Kibbe Park "Pollack Hole" was sweet too, if your aversion to leeches wasn't too strong. I didn't mind them that much myself.
Posted by Richard Gahagan on July 7, 2010 - 8:46am
You can pay a fee at some of the local hotels now. But don't tell everyone only a select few of Batavia's finest know this.
-We had a membership at the Days Inn a few years ago, but they don't do this anymore.
Where I grew up we took the bus to the city pool and it cost 50 cents admission and 50 cents for the locker. They sold snacks and drinks. There really isn't any legitimate reason why the good people of Batavia couldn't do something similar.
I also like JoAnne's Idea. Have a private company come in and set up shop. it would definitely bring a few jobs and a source of tourist dollars into the local economy.
Hey city council!!!! Someone should be taking notes right now and maybe contact other cities in the region that have similar facilities.
I grew up using the MacArthur park pool. It was the highlight of my summers (until the city closed it)then my parents had a pool installed at our home. The Y pool is great, however it's not outdoors. I think the outdoor pool public/semi-public or privately owned would be wonderful.
Looking at it from a privately owned perspective being outdoors means seasonal, no revenue generated during winter and the insurance payments, utility etc would still need to be maintained, is the summer revenue enough to sustain the business during the off season? Perhaps in order to keep a steady amount of revenue..indoor/outdoor park? I agree JoAnne, everyone would benefit from it.
I also think people in general, investors, tax payers, average citizens are worried about the economy, scared to invest and lose, scared to spend on "extras", tight budgets etc..
I suppose this fear will keep this from happening as well as other types of businesses coming into our area...for now anyway.
Darien Lake is far too overpriced and the Y doesn't begin to count as a public pool. I'm pretty sure GCC has open swim times, but even then, it's about a 5 minute drive from the city limit/half an hour walk.
A public pool in one of the parks would work. Budget a few lifeguards at $10/hour.
The price for a season ticket at Darien Lake has gone up a lot. We decided against it this year. $84.99 plus tax but hurry because that great offer ends soon. We used to pay under $50. They're going to price themselves right out of business.
We had a public pool at McArthur Park and it worked until it needed major tax dollars for repair. There was then and still is now, more important things that tax dollars need to be spent on. If taxpayers had fully supported a public pool, it would not have been allowed to fall into the state of disrepair that it did and we would still have one.
The McArthur pool had suffered from a lack of maintenance every year to save money. It finally got so bad that the pool had to be closed, as the cost of repair was too high and nobody wanted to raise taxes for a new pool. And, along with the taxes to pay the bond needed for a new pool, there will again be maintenance cost. Any money made by charging admission would be used to pay for the Life Guards you need (at least 2 on duty).
Another problem with a new pool would be only city taxpayer paying for it with no restrictions on use. It would end up like the Ice Rink and Dwyer Stadium. The city taxpayer only pays, but everybody gets to use it.
The YMCA is the city pool....They have a deal with the city to offer use of the pool to city residents..They don't pay property taxes,so i think that is the least they can do...
I don't know how many schools have indoor pools but it would be nice if something could be worked out to allow the public to swim there at some type of summer fee that would pay for lifeguards and staff.
Man you people are true dimwitted BLAHTAVIANS, no one wants to swim in an indoor pool during summer when its sunny and hot outside. Let me explain when you bring your white asses down to florida in the winter do you seek out hotel, school, or YMCA indoor pools? Noooooooooo you lay around an outdoor pool slammin drinks and or you go to the freakin beach cause its nice out and you want to be outside even though your pale white and fat.
Based on some of Batavia's finest I have seen at Walmart I don't think that there is a popcicle's chance in hell I would be caught dead at a place where swimsuits would be required. Just putting that out there! I don't think it should be all about money! ;)
Phil - it was $75 just last week and we thought that was excessive. Up to $85 plus tax today. I don't even see the family deal where you get a discount for buying 4 season passes.
Howard, just how many times are you going to let Mr. Gahagan post insults about Batavia and its citizens? Speaking only for myself, you will lose a loyal reader if some sort of rules aren't established about bashing.
And to Mr. Gahagan:
You moved away from here and apparently have found utopia where you live. Please post in your own town's newspaper and let those of us who are affected by Batavia's news and events post here unbashed.
The theme park is the single major summertime boost for Genesee County's economy however notwithstanding whatever price point it might adopt for some season pass, that theme park is nothing like competition for a public pool.
The impetus for a public pool is to provide city kids with some means to cool down & recreate in the summer heat. Such a pool must be located within bicycle range for city residents.
@Lincoln DeCoursey, when you've got Seabreeze in Monroe County with cheaper admission fees where food is considerably less expensive? Even their water park blows the piss out of DL.
Darien Lake went to hell after SF sold it to PARC Management. I've been to the park as a customer and worked there. I can't begin to find a word to describe the backdoor office politics that go on there. The health inspector is paid off, the HR manager is paid off, and the list continues. The mouthpiece that replaced Jim Kulpa as director of finance a few years is the worst. No one wants to lose their job, so no one steps up and says or does anything about it.
Nonetheless, there's people that'll admit that this all goes on off record.
Anyway, back on topic. It's 90°F. I'm all for a public pool.
1st I agree with Lori ban Gahagen! Now to the pool issue. Sure it would be nice if Batavia had a public pool. However it would only be used maybe 3 months out of 12. The cost to maintain it, insure it,secure it, and staff it is too great for the taxpayers to pay. Users would have to pay for it and I don't think user fees would be enough to even break even. Insurance companies, large awards from courts and liability has made it impossible for families to have fun. I too remember Nu-lake. Rode my bike many times there all summer. There is no way you could have that today someone would sue the owner because they stubbed their toe on a stone on the bottom and they would win. Wading pools would get trashed people have no respect and again it would cost too much to maintain and staff. Maybe a private company who had an area to build an outdoor pool with a dome for winter use could make a go of it.
I think that the city actually owns the pool at the YMCA however I'm not sure if any provision exists for folks to use the pool other than YMCA members.
If I recall correctly the YMCA owned that pool until about 2002 when it experienced two drowning deaths in a single summer, then sold the pool to the city for some token amount (perhaps $1).
Also I believe that the settlements in the drowning-related lawsuits totaled more than $600,000. So yes, liability is, I would guess, a significant consideration.
Lincoln,
The City does not own the Y pool anymore. It was the City that owned the pool at the time of the two accidents, but contracted with the Y to run it.
Yes Joan, I was pretty sure that the pool had been sold as a result of those incidents. I was just able to confirm what you've said via the wgrz.com archive.
A new pool and the surrounding infrastructure would cost over a $1 million. City property taxes are over $10/1000. Anyone care to make it $15 or more? I’m sure everyone would love to have a public pool, but this city doesn’t have the population & revenue to build one at this time. It’s too bad infrastructure neglect killed the last pool. I heard it was nice.
Sara, don’t tell us it shouldn't be all about the money when you’re not paying for it!
On the city web site there’s an “8 minutes till eight” link. It’s a survey to let the city know how they’re doing. Those of you that really want a public pool should all fill it out and tell them they’re not spending enough money.
Then require monthly membership? There's a similar setup in
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverton,_New_York">Riverton</a> where one of the real estate neighborhoods have access to a public pool, but everyone else not living in the neighborhood pays something along $10+/month.
Chris,
If you're going to have to pay a membership, you are better off joining the Y. It's open all year, in all weather, and there are things you can use.
The City considered all this when it closed McArthur Pool and when it built the Spray Park.
This was a good poll question, but really it's a dead issue when you ask for higher taxes to build and maintain it.
I don't want to pay a monthly membership for an INDOOR pool. It's beautiful out. I want to be outside, not inside. I can go swim for free and indoors at GCC.
Here's just a wild thought to throw out there ... I know nothing about pools or the cost structure.
It seems like above ground pools are much less expensive than below ground. They will still last through several seasons.
What if at, say, MacArthur Park, there was a complex of three to five above ground pools for the public?
I _think_ this would still be cheaper than say an Olympic-sized below ground pool, and with an above ground pool, once it's useful life is done, just replace it.
And putting this together would be a public-private partnership. A citizen's committee would raise the funds for the pools. There would be fees for attending. And like a volunteer fire department, there could be a volunteer lifeguard corps. And of course, there would be a minimal usage fee.
The city would only be responsible for providing the land.
John still thinks everyone should be happy to swim inside all summer at the Y or at GCC. Get with it John no one wants to be around an indoor pool when its finally sunny n warm round these parts......get it. When we were kids we swam at Kibbe Park, above the dam behind the fire station, Nu-Lake, Stegman,Old Creek Road, Godfreys, the swing tree at Horseshoe, the sandwash, calls pond, buttermilk falls, indian falls, and spring creek at the end of bank off 262. WE never even considered going to the Y when it was 90 degrees out and sunny and we were all Y gym rats. And Howard if I'm such a dimwitted blow hard why were you trying so hard to find me at the Ramble. At least 5 people came up to me and said you were lookin for me. I wasn't that hard to find I was the one being swarmed, hugged, kissed, shakin hands, and laughin with everyone everywhere I went. Maybe you just didn't want to stand in line. And by the way several of those people told me that the only reason they log on this site is to see what I have to say, cause I crack them up, so be nice.
I believe so. I have to run up there Friday to hand off something I'm working on for the Dean of Students. While I'm there, I'll check the hours and make sure it's open to the public.
Richard, nice exaggeration. Now for the TRUTH. I spoke to ONE person who said you were there. He SUGGESTED I go look for you, so I went up to the patio of Center Street, with instructions to look for a man in a hat and sunglasses.
The only man in hat and sunglasses I saw was a pencil-neck geek wearing a lime-green body shirt -- figured that couldn't be you, and left. Was it?
It's high time everyone took a good hard look at this problem we have in our hometown. The solution as I see it is simple.
SAND WASH.
We've all used our natural and man made resources in the past, including the sand wash, why not going forward...
I've been told that its been sold and priviteized. Let's reach out to the new owner, see if the water's safe for use, and if owner is willin', Let's make it happen. Everyone can swim, fish, boat, hike-trail this beautiful resource in our own back yards and use it year round... There's no doubt this area could generate enough revenue to keep it maintained with some forward vision...
Please think about it.....
By the way, Please give my brother "the blow hard" Rick G a break... He loves his home town and I love him...(most of the time).
Bill lets do one better. Moving water is always better than water that stands still. I remember a few parks where falls and gorges were "altered" or build up into very impressive swimming areas some weren't even costly either. Imagine one of our parks by a good stream or something..... Widen it out, line it with stone or gravel, build a little dam downstream like the one behind the courthouse, then maybe a smaller one upstream that can filter sediments out before they reach the pool. It might be doable but who knows, I am a transplant and grew up over in brockport. We used the canal and salmon creek for our cool downs growing up.
No John you miss the point. Kids would rather swim in a mudhole during the summer than swim inside at the Y or GCC. The city can't afford new debt because they bend over for the public employee unions. Payrolls and benefits were allowed to get way out of control. Didn't Chuck say awhile back that the PD&FD account for 60% of the city's budget? Say What............... What. Isn't that really why Batavia Kids can't have a pool? 40 years ago the city managed to build and maintain a "City Pool" and the whole community benefited, what changed?
Richard,
You're a bit misinformed again. Forty (40) years ago the city did not build an indoor Ice Rink, or the new stadium, or a new city Hall. That debt has nothing to do with city employees.
Explain how you mix long term building debt with employees. That should be interesting.
Also, 40 years ago, the area and the State were doing well and growing. That's not the case anymore.
And it does not matter now if the decisions to build those things were good ones or not. It's done and now we have to pay for them.
Richard Gahagan has already stated quite clearly that he does not like me. Unfortunately for him I very much like his closed minded right wing dumb ass comments and I would seek him out and buy him a beer if the opportunity ever arose. I'm a lefty but the world need right wing loons for balance. Plus, I love everybody when I've got a Bloody Mary morning buzz going.
@Chris, you're right. Howard said he was poking fun at Richard, but nonetheless the remarks were personal. And as the editor, I told the publisher I was deleting his post and did so:0
CENSORSHIP! THE BATAVIAN CENSORS COMMENTS! FIRST AMMENDMENT ALERT. CODE RED. The NRA has already been contacted about a possible 2nd ammendment future violation possibility. Once you start abusing the Constitution it's almost impossible to stop. Or not.
Poor Howard.
Sorry George the constitution isnt being abused, what you fail to realize is that you are arguing about a legal document written over 200 years ago, thing have changed, the amendable nature of the constitution is supposed to provide the adaptablity for it to stay relevant. You make me laugh arguing for "ammendments" which really arent part of the constitution itself but corrections to what is there.... look at dictionary definition of ammendment:
the act of amending or the state of being amended.
2. an alteration of or addition to a motion, bill, constitution, etc.
3. a change made by correction, addition, or deletion: The editors made few amendments to the manuscript.
4. Horticulture . a soil-conditioning substance that promotes plant growth indirectly by improving such soil qualities as porosity, moisture retention, and pH balance.
So like the amendment that prohibited alcohol, they can be imperfect or subject to re-definition because of the current times. While I do support the 2nd amendment for the right to bear arms....I also concede that it was written at a time when a gun was an essential tool, we hunted still for food, we had to defend ourselves and our homes from both predators and people as we still had alot of frontier. Also most guns were single shot and hand loaded, which gave alot of time to the weapon bearer to determine or think through why or if he should fire his weapon. So with the recent adultery case being ridiculed locally as archaic it would seem maybe some other 'rights'as defined by the corrections to the constitution might be in need of re-consideration and definement.
LOL By the way Bille did you enjoy the editing as a wife or an editor...just curious :D
Sorry Kyle the constitution means exactly what it says. The living document approach exists because the Constitution, which was written to expressly limit the powers of the federal government, doesn't square with Progressive notion that a huge government is a panacea for society's ills. The Constitution is a fairly large obstacle to them in that regard, and so it must be marginalized or reinterpreted as necessary.
My goodness, what a small world. Both Howard and I worked at the Ventura County Star, which Lori Silvernail cites. I was a reporter and later Howard came on board as the online director.
For those unfamiliar, Ventura (formally "San Buenaventura") is located between Malibu and Santa Barbara on California's "Gold Coast" and it is a gorgeous place but obscenely expensive and unfortunately becoming a suburb of L.A. day-by-day.
(I've opted not to stress Ventura's proximity to Oxnard -- north of Malibu, south of Ventura -- known as "not just another pretty name" (yuck, yuck) because it is not glamorous, has a badly polluted beach, and bad gangs bang in La Colonia. Hey Pachuco!)
As to Kyle's comment about whether I enjoy editing as a wife or as an editor, I say that I only edit Howard's COMMENTS for grammar, spelling and punctuation as a wife. I edit ALL OTHER content as an editor. That's the best of both worlds, such as they are:)
Do you know who the first blogger was for the Ventura County Star?
Do you know who set up the first blogs for readers to blog on the site (such as the one Richard picks up from)?
BTW: The Ventura County Star won the Online News Association's "General Excellence" award in 2004.
And it's a very agreeable passage. The Constitution is a timeless document, because human nature is timeless. It's meant to provide checks and balances on human nature, and very much meant to limit government's role in the individual's life. It's a meaningless document if it can be rewritten to suit the whims of any current era. That line of thinking will eventually lead to tyranny.
The Y has a very good pool.
The Y has a very good pool. The hours for it suck, but it is a nice pool. There is also the 'water park' in Batavia by the mall. Oh yes, and Darien Lake. No, we do not need a public pool. It would just get trashed, cost taxpayers too much money to implement and maintain, and be just a thorn in ones side in the long-run. Just my opinion, of course... and you know what they say about opinions! :)
I think Batavia's youth would
I think Batavia's youth would benefit from a public pool. My wife and I struggled all weekend to find things to do to keep our kids cool.
The Y is not tempting in the summertime.
The spraypark, while nice, is no pool.
Strict rules, consistently enforced, would be sufficient to keep a public pool in good shape.
Maybe make the pool semi-public? Some tax-payer money could be used, but the pool could charge admission (day passes, season passes, etc) and sell concessions to offset taxpayer cost.
I know my family would sign up for a membership in a heartbeat.
You can pay a fee at some of
You can pay a fee at some of the local hotels now. But don't tell everyone only a select few of Batavia's finest know this.
I asked the question because
I asked the question because I grew up only a few blocks from a public pool. It was one of the highlights of summer.
On the other hand, I don't see how it's realistic financially under current circumstances.
BTW: It seems like we had to pay a quarter or something each time we wanted to use the pool.
There used to be a pool in Austin Park, right?
I think it was MacArthur that
I think it was MacArthur that had a real pool. Austin and Kibbe had wading pools that were shut down after it was discovered they weren't up to code following a few deaths in the Y pool. I would love to see a public pool again but I'm pretty sure most taxpayers won't agree.
Yes, Beth we did have a pool
Yes, Beth we did have a pool at MacArthur Park. I think there are basketball courts on it now. It opened sometime in the 60's. It was a great place to go in the summer. We paid a quarter or 50 cents I think and they had lockers for your things and they also sold snacks and drinks. I guess the maintenance got to be too much and it was deteriorating beyond repair. And it seems that no one wanted a new one built.
I would rather see a private
I would rather see a private business fill the need. It would be great if there was an indoor water park here in Batavia, similar to Splash Lagoon in PA. It would provide great family fun while creating jobs, increasing tourism and tax revenue. Everyone would benefit.
The old pool in McArthur Park
The old pool in McArthur Park use to be called the Greta Paterson pool. It was named in honor of a local minor celeb. who gained fame in the 50s by swimming Lake Erie. It finally died by the harsh WNY Winters and was filled in for tennis courts.
There is always NuLake, just
There is always NuLake, just a short drive away in beautiful downtown Bushville. Oh, what wonderful memories I have for NuLake. The Tonawanda Creek behind Kibbe Park "Pollack Hole" was sweet too, if your aversion to leeches wasn't too strong. I didn't mind them that much myself.
Posted by Richard Gahagan on
Posted by Richard Gahagan on July 7, 2010 - 8:46am
You can pay a fee at some of the local hotels now. But don't tell everyone only a select few of Batavia's finest know this.
-We had a membership at the Days Inn a few years ago, but they don't do this anymore.
Does the Holiday Inn sell memberships?
Where I grew up we took the
Where I grew up we took the bus to the city pool and it cost 50 cents admission and 50 cents for the locker. They sold snacks and drinks. There really isn't any legitimate reason why the good people of Batavia couldn't do something similar.
I also like JoAnne's Idea. Have a private company come in and set up shop. it would definitely bring a few jobs and a source of tourist dollars into the local economy.
Hey city council!!!! Someone should be taking notes right now and maybe contact other cities in the region that have similar facilities.
I grew up using the MacArthur
I grew up using the MacArthur park pool. It was the highlight of my summers (until the city closed it)then my parents had a pool installed at our home. The Y pool is great, however it's not outdoors. I think the outdoor pool public/semi-public or privately owned would be wonderful.
Looking at it from a privately owned perspective being outdoors means seasonal, no revenue generated during winter and the insurance payments, utility etc would still need to be maintained, is the summer revenue enough to sustain the business during the off season? Perhaps in order to keep a steady amount of revenue..indoor/outdoor park? I agree JoAnne, everyone would benefit from it.
I also think people in general, investors, tax payers, average citizens are worried about the economy, scared to invest and lose, scared to spend on "extras", tight budgets etc..
I suppose this fear will keep this from happening as well as other types of businesses coming into our area...for now anyway.
Insurance is the reason
Insurance is the reason hotels wont do it, it is also a matter of capacity, needing to have it available for their guests during the peak season.
2:15 a.m. at the Sandwash,
2:15 a.m. at the Sandwash, nekkid swimmin' is the best swimmin' there is, or was anyway.
Our family goes to indoor
Our family goes to indoor waterparks (Splash Lagoon & Great Wolf Lodge).Always wondered why Darien Lake doesn't do an indoor waterpark.
Darien Lake is far too
Darien Lake is far too overpriced and the Y doesn't begin to count as a public pool. I'm pretty sure GCC has open swim times, but even then, it's about a 5 minute drive from the city limit/half an hour walk.
A public pool in one of the parks would work. Budget a few lifeguards at $10/hour.
The price for a season ticket
The price for a season ticket at Darien Lake has gone up a lot. We decided against it this year. $84.99 plus tax but hurry because that great offer ends soon. We used to pay under $50. They're going to price themselves right out of business.
We had a public pool at
We had a public pool at McArthur Park and it worked until it needed major tax dollars for repair. There was then and still is now, more important things that tax dollars need to be spent on. If taxpayers had fully supported a public pool, it would not have been allowed to fall into the state of disrepair that it did and we would still have one.
The McArthur pool had
The McArthur pool had suffered from a lack of maintenance every year to save money. It finally got so bad that the pool had to be closed, as the cost of repair was too high and nobody wanted to raise taxes for a new pool. And, along with the taxes to pay the bond needed for a new pool, there will again be maintenance cost. Any money made by charging admission would be used to pay for the Life Guards you need (at least 2 on duty).
Another problem with a new pool would be only city taxpayer paying for it with no restrictions on use. It would end up like the Ice Rink and Dwyer Stadium. The city taxpayer only pays, but everybody gets to use it.
The YMCA is the city
The YMCA is the city pool....They have a deal with the city to offer use of the pool to city residents..They don't pay property taxes,so i think that is the least they can do...
Mark, The city sold the pool
Mark,
The city sold the pool to the Y 5 or 6 years ago.
I don't know how many schools
I don't know how many schools have indoor pools but it would be nice if something could be worked out to allow the public to swim there at some type of summer fee that would pay for lifeguards and staff.
Man you people are true
Man you people are true dimwitted BLAHTAVIANS, no one wants to swim in an indoor pool during summer when its sunny and hot outside. Let me explain when you bring your white asses down to florida in the winter do you seek out hotel, school, or YMCA indoor pools? Noooooooooo you lay around an outdoor pool slammin drinks and or you go to the freakin beach cause its nice out and you want to be outside even though your pale white and fat.
Gabor, None in Batavia have
Gabor,
None in Batavia have pools.
Based on some of Batavia's
Based on some of Batavia's finest I have seen at Walmart I don't think that there is a popcicle's chance in hell I would be caught dead at a place where swimsuits would be required. Just putting that out there! I don't think it should be all about money! ;)
Beth, $84.99? I got 4 Season
Beth,
$84.99? I got 4 Season Passes for $200 this year. When did it go up so much?
I went to Pembroke High
I went to Pembroke High School, I guess I didn't realize Batavia Schools still have none. ;(
Phil - it was $75 just last
Phil - it was $75 just last week and we thought that was excessive. Up to $85 plus tax today. I don't even see the family deal where you get a discount for buying 4 season passes.
Howard, just how many times
Howard, just how many times are you going to let Mr. Gahagan post insults about Batavia and its citizens? Speaking only for myself, you will lose a loyal reader if some sort of rules aren't established about bashing.
And to Mr. Gahagan:
You moved away from here and apparently have found utopia where you live. Please post in your own town's newspaper and let those of us who are affected by Batavia's news and events post here unbashed.
The theme park is the single
The theme park is the single major summertime boost for Genesee County's economy however notwithstanding whatever price point it might adopt for some season pass, that theme park is nothing like competition for a public pool.
The impetus for a public pool is to provide city kids with some means to cool down & recreate in the summer heat. Such a pool must be located within bicycle range for city residents.
Wow...That's crazy expensive.
Wow...That's crazy expensive. You would think they would get cheaper as the season wears on, not more.
Yikes
Right on Lori!
Right on Lori!
Yeah. What Lori said.
Yeah. What Lori said.
@Lincoln DeCoursey, when
@Lincoln DeCoursey, when you've got Seabreeze in Monroe County with cheaper admission fees where food is considerably less expensive? Even their water park blows the piss out of DL.
Darien Lake went to hell after SF sold it to PARC Management. I've been to the park as a customer and worked there. I can't begin to find a word to describe the backdoor office politics that go on there. The health inspector is paid off, the HR manager is paid off, and the list continues. The mouthpiece that replaced Jim Kulpa as director of finance a few years is the worst. No one wants to lose their job, so no one steps up and says or does anything about it.
Nonetheless, there's people that'll admit that this all goes on off record.
Anyway, back on topic. It's 90°F. I'm all for a public pool.
1st I agree with Lori ban
1st I agree with Lori ban Gahagen! Now to the pool issue. Sure it would be nice if Batavia had a public pool. However it would only be used maybe 3 months out of 12. The cost to maintain it, insure it,secure it, and staff it is too great for the taxpayers to pay. Users would have to pay for it and I don't think user fees would be enough to even break even. Insurance companies, large awards from courts and liability has made it impossible for families to have fun. I too remember Nu-lake. Rode my bike many times there all summer. There is no way you could have that today someone would sue the owner because they stubbed their toe on a stone on the bottom and they would win. Wading pools would get trashed people have no respect and again it would cost too much to maintain and staff. Maybe a private company who had an area to build an outdoor pool with a dome for winter use could make a go of it.
I think that the city
I think that the city actually owns the pool at the YMCA however I'm not sure if any provision exists for folks to use the pool other than YMCA members.
If I recall correctly the YMCA owned that pool until about 2002 when it experienced two drowning deaths in a single summer, then sold the pool to the city for some token amount (perhaps $1).
Also I believe that the settlements in the drowning-related lawsuits totaled more than $600,000. So yes, liability is, I would guess, a significant consideration.
Lincoln, The City does not
Lincoln,
The City does not own the Y pool anymore. It was the City that owned the pool at the time of the two accidents, but contracted with the Y to run it.
The City then sold the pool.
Yes Joan, I was pretty sure
Yes Joan, I was pretty sure that the pool had been sold as a result of those incidents. I was just able to confirm what you've said via the wgrz.com archive.
A new pool and the
A new pool and the surrounding infrastructure would cost over a $1 million. City property taxes are over $10/1000. Anyone care to make it $15 or more? I’m sure everyone would love to have a public pool, but this city doesn’t have the population & revenue to build one at this time. It’s too bad infrastructure neglect killed the last pool. I heard it was nice.
Sara, don’t tell us it shouldn't be all about the money when you’re not paying for it!
On the city web site there’s an “8 minutes till eight” link. It’s a survey to let the city know how they’re doing. Those of you that really want a public pool should all fill it out and tell them they’re not spending enough money.
Then require monthly
Then require monthly membership? There's a similar setup in
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverton,_New_York">Riverton</a> where one of the real estate neighborhoods have access to a public pool, but everyone else not living in the neighborhood pays something along $10+/month.
@Howard, that last post of
@Howard, that last post of yours is near comparable to some of my past attacks that you've deleted. :)
Chris, If you're going to
Chris,
If you're going to have to pay a membership, you are better off joining the Y. It's open all year, in all weather, and there are things you can use.
The City considered all this when it closed McArthur Pool and when it built the Spray Park.
This was a good poll question, but really it's a dead issue when you ask for higher taxes to build and maintain it.
John, I don't want to pay a
John,
I don't want to pay a monthly membership for an INDOOR pool. It's beautiful out. I want to be outside, not inside. I can go swim for free and indoors at GCC.
The advice is appreciated, nonetheless.
Chris, Does GCC offer public
Chris,
Does GCC offer public swim days?
Here's just a wild thought to
Here's just a wild thought to throw out there ... I know nothing about pools or the cost structure.
It seems like above ground pools are much less expensive than below ground. They will still last through several seasons.
What if at, say, MacArthur Park, there was a complex of three to five above ground pools for the public?
I _think_ this would still be cheaper than say an Olympic-sized below ground pool, and with an above ground pool, once it's useful life is done, just replace it.
And putting this together would be a public-private partnership. A citizen's committee would raise the funds for the pools. There would be fees for attending. And like a volunteer fire department, there could be a volunteer lifeguard corps. And of course, there would be a minimal usage fee.
The city would only be responsible for providing the land.
Just thinking out loud ...
John still thinks everyone
John still thinks everyone should be happy to swim inside all summer at the Y or at GCC. Get with it John no one wants to be around an indoor pool when its finally sunny n warm round these parts......get it. When we were kids we swam at Kibbe Park, above the dam behind the fire station, Nu-Lake, Stegman,Old Creek Road, Godfreys, the swing tree at Horseshoe, the sandwash, calls pond, buttermilk falls, indian falls, and spring creek at the end of bank off 262. WE never even considered going to the Y when it was 90 degrees out and sunny and we were all Y gym rats. And Howard if I'm such a dimwitted blow hard why were you trying so hard to find me at the Ramble. At least 5 people came up to me and said you were lookin for me. I wasn't that hard to find I was the one being swarmed, hugged, kissed, shakin hands, and laughin with everyone everywhere I went. Maybe you just didn't want to stand in line. And by the way several of those people told me that the only reason they log on this site is to see what I have to say, cause I crack them up, so be nice.
John, I believe so. I have
John,
I believe so. I have to run up there Friday to hand off something I'm working on for the Dean of Students. While I'm there, I'll check the hours and make sure it's open to the public.
On that note, I'm quite sure it is.
Richard, nice exaggeration.
Richard, nice exaggeration. Now for the TRUTH. I spoke to ONE person who said you were there. He SUGGESTED I go look for you, so I went up to the patio of Center Street, with instructions to look for a man in a hat and sunglasses.
The only man in hat and sunglasses I saw was a pencil-neck geek wearing a lime-green body shirt -- figured that couldn't be you, and left. Was it?
Saw nobody lining up to talk to anybody.
It's high time everyone took
It's high time everyone took a good hard look at this problem we have in our hometown. The solution as I see it is simple.
SAND WASH.
We've all used our natural and man made resources in the past, including the sand wash, why not going forward...
I've been told that its been sold and priviteized. Let's reach out to the new owner, see if the water's safe for use, and if owner is willin', Let's make it happen. Everyone can swim, fish, boat, hike-trail this beautiful resource in our own back yards and use it year round... There's no doubt this area could generate enough revenue to keep it maintained with some forward vision...
Please think about it.....
By the way, Please give my brother "the blow hard" Rick G a break... He loves his home town and I love him...(most of the time).
Bill lets do one better.
Bill lets do one better. Moving water is always better than water that stands still. I remember a few parks where falls and gorges were "altered" or build up into very impressive swimming areas some weren't even costly either. Imagine one of our parks by a good stream or something..... Widen it out, line it with stone or gravel, build a little dam downstream like the one behind the courthouse, then maybe a smaller one upstream that can filter sediments out before they reach the pool. It might be doable but who knows, I am a transplant and grew up over in brockport. We used the canal and salmon creek for our cool downs growing up.
Richard, You miss the point
Richard,
You miss the point or can't get the point. The outdoor areas you claim you went swimming in are not city owned pools.
Simple fact is the City of Batavia can not afford new debt when we still have to pay off the Ice Rink, the City Hall and ball field.
No John you miss the point.
No John you miss the point. Kids would rather swim in a mudhole during the summer than swim inside at the Y or GCC. The city can't afford new debt because they bend over for the public employee unions. Payrolls and benefits were allowed to get way out of control. Didn't Chuck say awhile back that the PD&FD account for 60% of the city's budget? Say What............... What. Isn't that really why Batavia Kids can't have a pool? 40 years ago the city managed to build and maintain a "City Pool" and the whole community benefited, what changed?
Richard, You're a bit
Richard,
You're a bit misinformed again. Forty (40) years ago the city did not build an indoor Ice Rink, or the new stadium, or a new city Hall. That debt has nothing to do with city employees.
Explain how you mix long term building debt with employees. That should be interesting.
Also, 40 years ago, the area and the State were doing well and growing. That's not the case anymore.
And it does not matter now if the decisions to build those things were good ones or not. It's done and now we have to pay for them.
Richard Gahagan has already
Richard Gahagan has already stated quite clearly that he does not like me. Unfortunately for him I very much like his closed minded right wing dumb ass comments and I would seek him out and buy him a beer if the opportunity ever arose. I'm a lefty but the world need right wing loons for balance. Plus, I love everybody when I've got a Bloody Mary morning buzz going.
@Chris, you're right. Howard
@Chris, you're right. Howard said he was poking fun at Richard, but nonetheless the remarks were personal. And as the editor, I told the publisher I was deleting his post and did so:0
@Billie, SA-WEET ! ;P
@Billie, SA-WEET ! ;P
CENSORSHIP! THE BATAVIAN
CENSORSHIP! THE BATAVIAN CENSORS COMMENTS! FIRST AMMENDMENT ALERT. CODE RED. The NRA has already been contacted about a possible 2nd ammendment future violation possibility. Once you start abusing the Constitution it's almost impossible to stop. Or not.
Poor Howard.
Wild Bill at least now
Wild Bill at least now there's two cool people on this site. Get your knees fixed.
Sorry George the constitution
Sorry George the constitution isnt being abused, what you fail to realize is that you are arguing about a legal document written over 200 years ago, thing have changed, the amendable nature of the constitution is supposed to provide the adaptablity for it to stay relevant. You make me laugh arguing for "ammendments" which really arent part of the constitution itself but corrections to what is there.... look at dictionary definition of ammendment:
the act of amending or the state of being amended.
2. an alteration of or addition to a motion, bill, constitution, etc.
3. a change made by correction, addition, or deletion: The editors made few amendments to the manuscript.
4. Horticulture . a soil-conditioning substance that promotes plant growth indirectly by improving such soil qualities as porosity, moisture retention, and pH balance.
So like the amendment that prohibited alcohol, they can be imperfect or subject to re-definition because of the current times. While I do support the 2nd amendment for the right to bear arms....I also concede that it was written at a time when a gun was an essential tool, we hunted still for food, we had to defend ourselves and our homes from both predators and people as we still had alot of frontier. Also most guns were single shot and hand loaded, which gave alot of time to the weapon bearer to determine or think through why or if he should fire his weapon. So with the recent adultery case being ridiculed locally as archaic it would seem maybe some other 'rights'as defined by the corrections to the constitution might be in need of re-consideration and definement.
LOL By the way Bille did you enjoy the editing as a wife or an editor...just curious :D
Sorry Kyle the constitution
Sorry Kyle the constitution means exactly what it says. The living document approach exists because the Constitution, which was written to expressly limit the powers of the federal government, doesn't square with Progressive notion that a huge government is a panacea for society's ills. The Constitution is a fairly large obstacle to them in that regard, and so it must be marginalized or reinterpreted as necessary.
Here is the website that Mr.
Here is the website that Mr. Gahagan stole his post, word for word:
http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/ingemusings/archives/2010/06/
He can't even form a sentence on his own, and never credits the authors of the words he steals and acts as if they're his own.
plagerism
plagerism
My goodness, what a small
My goodness, what a small world. Both Howard and I worked at the Ventura County Star, which Lori Silvernail cites. I was a reporter and later Howard came on board as the online director.
For those unfamiliar, Ventura (formally "San Buenaventura") is located between Malibu and Santa Barbara on California's "Gold Coast" and it is a gorgeous place but obscenely expensive and unfortunately becoming a suburb of L.A. day-by-day.
(I've opted not to stress Ventura's proximity to Oxnard -- north of Malibu, south of Ventura -- known as "not just another pretty name" (yuck, yuck) because it is not glamorous, has a badly polluted beach, and bad gangs bang in La Colonia. Hey Pachuco!)
As to Kyle's comment about whether I enjoy editing as a wife or as an editor, I say that I only edit Howard's COMMENTS for grammar, spelling and punctuation as a wife. I edit ALL OTHER content as an editor. That's the best of both worlds, such as they are:)
Well no wonder I love y'all.
Well no wonder I love y'all. You're too cool.
At least Richard lifted from
At least Richard lifted from a good source.
Do you know who the first blogger was for the Ventura County Star?
Do you know who set up the first blogs for readers to blog on the site (such as the one Richard picks up from)?
BTW: The Ventura County Star won the Online News Association's "General Excellence" award in 2004.
And it's a very agreeable passage. The Constitution is a timeless document, because human nature is timeless. It's meant to provide checks and balances on human nature, and very much meant to limit government's role in the individual's life. It's a meaningless document if it can be rewritten to suit the whims of any current era. That line of thinking will eventually lead to tyranny.
wtg sarah you always say so
wtg sarah you always say so beautifully what some of us more straight forward people would have said