news-record.com

"Some very large meets have already committed “if we can get it built.”"

Could you list these please? Also, the projected number of participants and income figures from each meet would be appreciated as well.

I'm all for making sure all possible people know how to swim, but we already have plenty of facilities where this can be accomplished. In fact, the YWCA is in financial trouble, and their pool is very possibly available quite often. We also have the high school pools, rec centers, college facilities, etc. that could possibly be used for swim instruction. So, instead of using the facilities we already have to their maximum, we want to bus (more expense) students into this swim center for instruction?

This should NEVER have been rammed down the voters' throats! Tacking it on to the Parks and Rec bond after it had already been voted down was a sketchy political move. Then, we find out it will cost even MORE to build? To be this far off on an estimate is inexcusable!

Let's table this project now! Bring it up when the economy improves (IF that ever happens) on a bond issue containing ONLY the swim center and nothing else. No more dishonest politics. Let the voters decide then, based on accurate estimates, if they want this facility.

this LTE author has the same last name as the man, presumably her husband unless a koinkydink, who writes those sappy LettersToEditor after the City Swim meets each summer....the City Swim meet at the Lindley pool is as good as swimming gets in greensboro, folksy and comfortable and fun for the youth who parents can afford to belong to a summer swim club and in a couple cases, a high-end country club...

to take that event as the showcase of swimming in the community and parlay it into a multimillion dollar showcase of the east coast is the mother of all stretches...

swimming IS NOT a big part of this community and never will be...please greensboro swimming community keep things in proper focus, swimming as a sport in greensboro is what it is, and that is a good thing....small, down home and folksy....dont try to make it what it is not, or grow it into what it will never be...

Now let us take a good look at the "swim center". Many large meets have already committed, private funds have been promised, and Matt Brown, who alreadys runs deficits every year for taxpayers to fund, will be in charge, so what more could the taxpayers ask? Sounds like a dream team to me. Not! I give our citizens more credit than to buy into this situation.

Only difference between kudzu and gubmint projects - one doesn't cost money.

The track record of government sports facilities is they lose millions, not make money. UNC's Dean Dome is an excellent example. If not for massive student fees and a 1.3 million subsidy from the state budget, the Dean Dome would be shut down, it does not make money. Greensboro's swim center should be canceled.

The United States Masters Swimming has requested a bid from Greensboro for the 2012 Short Course National Championships, estimated participation is 1500 to 2200 with an additional 2000 to 3000 family members and administrators. Estimated economic impact is $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 for this four day event. The ACC executive director has already provided a letter of support for this facility and has expressed interest in hosting the ACC Swimming and Diving Championships at the location. Estimated participants are 600 men and women collegiate swimmers, along with another 3000 to 4000 parents and spectators. The sports marketing firm that sought out the National Figure Skating Championship that will be held at the Coliseum is also seeking the 2016 Olympic Swimming Trials at the coliseum and new aquatic facility. Boise Idaho estimates the economic impact of the 2008 Olympic trials at $50,000,000 to the local economy. A local swim club plans to host the Eastern Invitation each summer at the facility. Estimated participants are 650 with another 2000 family members and spectators. Local age group swimming teams will host local, state, regional and national events at this facility. Informally NC A&T has expressed support and interest in holding meets at the facility. State High School Championship will likely be held at this facility, along with local high school meets. The Community Swim Association, made up of 23 neighborhood summer teams, will be holding their City Championship at the facility. Estimated participants are 2300 youth swimmers coming from all the local clubs along with 3000 plus parents and spectators. Diving, Water Polo, Synchronized Swimming and other groups have likewise expressed interest in hosting events at this facility. State Games and Special Olympics will similarly pursue use of the facility.

The National Aquatic Sports Convention has selected Greensboro for it's 2010 or 2011 site for the second time in ten years. The group includes NCAA swimming, water polo, diving, synchronized swimming, USA swimming, United States Masters Swimming, Olympic Swim Commitee. This convention will be held at the Koury Convention Center and the new aquatic center will be viewed by all groups as a place to host their events.

Lastly, this is a facility that will be open year round to the public for learn to swim, fitness swimming, therapy and other health programing. With some the large events above the facility will be closed to the public, but for the mid to small events the facility will remain open to the public and the instructional pool available. There will be citizens of Greensboro who will not use this facility, but there will be members of each family who will find use for the facility. This may be for therapy after recovering from a heart attack, or infant classes to prevent drownings, small boat safety or learn to swim for the Guilford County Schools.

Let's print this letter right under the article about evictions and high vacancy rates. This swim center is a terribly wrong way to prioritize money. I'm not going to build myself a pool if my neighbor is about to be evicted or foreclosed. I'm not going to buy myself a new pair of shoes if my child needs food. I'm not going to buy a Porsche if my roof needs repairs. Why don't these pool people pay their own way like we pay for our own kids' music lessons, running shoes, and such?

"This aquatic center is not just for the competitive swimming niche. The center is an investment for our community. Matt Brown would like to bring in all Guilford County students for a “learn to swim” program. Imagine the promise this facility has for helping with childhood obesity, senior citizens, arthritically impaired adults, those with handicaps and rehabilitation patients."

Really?

"Some very large meets have already committed “if we can get it built.”"

Who did they commit too?
Signed a contract did they?

This is absurd.

Basically, we've been asked to buy a pig in a poke.

Bonnie Hensel (letter-writer) said: "This aquatic center is not just for the competitive swimming niche. The center is an investment for our community. Matt Brown would like to bring in all Guilford County students for a “learn to swim” program. Imagine the promise this facility has for helping with childhood obesity, senior citizens, arthritically impaired adults, those with handicaps and rehabilitation patients."

Hmmmm, 'helping with childhod obesity, senior citizens, arthritically impaired, those with handicaps and rehablitation patients" sounds like some of the programs that (at least at one time) were available at the downtown YWCA.

Isn't the YWCA building now for sale? If so, that means there is an entire building downtown for sale WITH a swimming pool. Whoa, doggies, why hasn't anyone thought of that?

Then again, perhaps some have thought of that and are hoping that "the rest" WON'T think of that.

Dont ask for info you dont really want. You folks asked for a list and got a pretty detailed and extensive list from a knowledgable person. Now you want signed contracts to hold meets in a venue that doesnt exist. I suppose I dont have to tell you that really isnt possible. There are legit reasons to be opposed to this facility. Claiming the YWCA should suffice, kids dont really swim, people wontt really come or we have sufficient facilities aren't among them. Oh and BTW neither is "nuh huh". The YWCA would probably make an excellant venue for urban recreational swimming and might particularly make a great rec center. No idea really. It will not however, bring folks and their moola to town for swim meets. Which is what helps offset maintenance costs and creates economic impact.

And Whirlie... CSA and city meet should serve as a clue that swimming has room for growth in this town. Most folks have no idea what a pain in the rear it is to be a competitive swimmer (private or high school) in this town. Again, this is just the business side. The recreational side ihas plusses too.