Bridgwater swimming pool opens (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Great news, but shame about the parking it's a joke!

Whilst the set up of the new pool is definitely better for swimming clubs etc., I think it's sad that Splash is being airbrushed from history with the rhetoric above - it was well loved despite its issues, and chucking a few inflatable toys in a pool doesn't make up for the loss of slides etc.

Agree there are no slides in the new pool, but come to think about it how often we're the slides broken or closed due to Health and Safety reasons at Splash?. My fondest memory of the Splash was the opening by Princess Diana- that's an event that can't be airbrushed from our local history.
As for the new pool we must be the envy of other towns in the area, can't wait to have my first dip this weekend!

Peteronions wrote:
Great news, but shame about the parking it's a joke!

Don't you realise, you are not allowed to use your own car, to go where u want, the Somerset County Council, will make car journey's illegal soon ,under EU Legislation. You must used our Cycle, or Bus, or walk. We the Motorist, are down the line on Statistics, when it comes to Highway Matters. fact, Traffic Light Crossings, are not there for the Motorist, but the Priority is for Pedestrians. Next Cyclist then the Private car user.
As SDC, with Associates, SCC, Bridgwater Swimming Club, Even EDF, have made this Pool Happen, perhaps Bridgwater Town Council, and Bridgwater (B ) Forward, would like to spend our Civic Fund to, provide a Bus that goes around the Town, picking up as a Pool Special Transportation. On a Daily basis.......No Hope, Ooh I forgot, they were against it !!!!!!!!!!!!
You can buy monthly user Passes, for the Pool and the Dry Site.!!
Fantastic, Well Done to All Concerned That Made it Happen....Great For Bridgwater, it's even within walking distance for Graham Granter our Mayor!!
Regards David Preece- Glad to have voted for this project, and see it to fruition.
Blue-Owl

6.3 million... this has absolutely blown my mind.

utd ian wrote:
6.3 million... this has absolutely blown my mind.

Why, that is the reduced cost, that we got because of the decision to combine the construction in consultation & Construction with BAM,building the new school @ Chilton.
That, is in today's world the reality, of funding major infrastructure Projects. Also the reason why As SDC. Councillors, we had to ensure the viability of such a scheme, as I explained B4. For every £1 Million borrowed over a 25 year period the Interest on that money is
25 x £100.000. So, that's why, we The Then Conservative Councillors took very seriously the Daunting decision, that we made.
With no assistance from the Lab& Lib Councillors...and no costed alternative.
So Three years on, we could have done nothing as the Bridgwater Forward, "Save the Splash" Campaigners and Cllr Smedley endorsed....result, £2.1 Million over 3 years Splash Subsudised. Then faced with a Old Pool with serious Metal Fatigue that would have had to be closed on Health & Safety Grounds.
So under that scenario, £2.1 Million spent, No New Swimming Facility, no sale of Northgate, No £11 Million, 60 % for SDC. Losers Bridgwater, for the next 25 years. On balance, SDC Conservatives, acted correctly, spent the Funds wisely, and above all provided a State of the Art Swimming facility to be Proud Of....
Splash RIP......Moving Forward in Sedgemoor.....
Blue-Owl
Ex District Councillor /BTC
Blue-Owl

How can a duck pond cost 6:3 million it is no bigger than burnham. saw it today and was empty. wrong place and no where to park. we were promised 30 extra spaces for today. typical BAM failed again. Bit like their build with the sewerage in the dining room this week. Oh well it will only take council tax payers 25 years to pay for it under building schools for the future.

Blue Owl wrote:

Peteronions wrote:
Great news, but shame about the parking it's a joke!

Don't you realise, you are not allowed to use your own car, to go where u want, the Somerset County Council, will make car journey's illegal soon ,under EU Legislation. You must used our Cycle, or Bus, or walk. We the Motorist, are down the line on Statistics, when it comes to Highway Matters. fact, Traffic Light Crossings, are not there for the Motorist, but the Priority is for Pedestrians. Next Cyclist then the Private car user.
As SDC, with Associates, SCC, Bridgwater Swimming Club, Even EDF, have made this Pool Happen, perhaps Bridgwater Town Council, and Bridgwater (B ) Forward, would like to spend our Civic Fund to, provide a Bus that goes around the Town, picking up as a Pool Special Transportation. On a Daily basis.......No Hope, Ooh I forgot, they were against it !!!!!!!!!!!!
You can buy monthly user Passes, for the Pool and the Dry Site.!!
Fantastic, Well Done to All Concerned That Made it Happen....Great For Bridgwater, it's even within walking distance for Graham Granter our Mayor!!
Regards David Preece- Glad to have voted for this project, and see it to fruition.
Blue-Owl

"Blue Owl wrote:

Peteronions wrote: Great news, but shame about the parking it's a joke!

Don't you realise, you are not allowed to use your own car, to go where u want, the Somerset County Council, will make car journey's illegal soon ,under EU Legislation. "

Brilliant point, eloquently made. Please tell us more about how car journeys are set to be made illegal.

Doverbeme wrote:

Blue Owl wrote:

Peteronions wrote:
Great news, but shame about the parking it's a joke!

Don't you realise, you are not allowed to use your own car, to go where u want, the Somerset County Council, will make car journey's illegal soon ,under EU Legislation. You must used our Cycle, or Bus, or walk. We the Motorist, are down the line on Statistics, when it comes to Highway Matters. fact, Traffic Light Crossings, are not there for the Motorist, but the Priority is for Pedestrians. Next Cyclist then the Private car user.
As SDC, with Associates, SCC, Bridgwater Swimming Club, Even EDF, have made this Pool Happen, perhaps Bridgwater Town Council, and Bridgwater (B ) Forward, would like to spend our Civic Fund to, provide a Bus that goes around the Town, picking up as a Pool Special Transportation. On a Daily basis.......No Hope, Ooh I forgot, they were against it !!!!!!!!!!!!
You can buy monthly user Passes, for the Pool and the Dry Site.!!
Fantastic, Well Done to All Concerned That Made it Happen....Great For Bridgwater, it's even within walking distance for Graham Granter our Mayor!!
Regards David Preece- Glad to have voted for this project, and see it to fruition.
Blue-Owl

"Blue Owl wrote:

Peteronions wrote: Great news, but shame about the parking it's a joke!

Don't you realise, you are not allowed to use your own car, to go where u want, the Somerset County Council, will make car journey's illegal soon ,under EU Legislation. "

Brilliant point, eloquently made. Please tell us more about how car journeys are set to be made illegal.

It was a ' Tongue in Cheek' Comment, as the dictat from Somerset County Council, states that more people should refrain for using private vehicles for personal travel, instead opting for walking, cycling and Pubic Transport. That would be fine if, Buses were better priced, with as I have suggested a few years ago, Zone 1, within Town Centre, out to Estates, Zone 2, From Bridgwater to surrounding Villages, say 5 mile Radius, Zone 3, To W-S-Mare, Taunton, Wells etc.
These Fares should be priced to encourage maximum uptake, regular not just 2 Trips per day, also Seven days a week.
Then perhap's drivers would be more likely to use the Buses, which seem to run around our Town, almost empty, following each other into the High St.
Causing traffic congestion, as they await getting on to the newly raised drop-off Bus Stops.
Re your comment about minimum parking @ the New Chilton Town Pool, obviously it would be better if the building work on the site was completed.! SDC, is Damned if it does, and Damned if does'nt.!!! Everyone, has worked so hard to enable the Pool to be Opened, ASAP.
If that is your comment, re the Pool, point well made, but I'm sure the short term work that is continuing will remedy your concerns.
David L Preece.
Blue -Owl

I've seen private pools bigger than that thing, and I doubt very much it cost anywhere near 6mil. Just the usual lining of pockets we come to expect in Bridgwater. Every major project is a disaster in this town mainly because the people who run it are short sighted and out of touch with the times. That pool will loose money if already it's largely empty after only being open for 2 days. As per usual everything comes as a shock to this town, where are the parking spaces? and why now are they only just thinking about putting in turnstiles? why is everything an afterthought?

I am yet to hear of a municipal pool that actually makes money but if you know better please enlighten me. The point is that local authorities are here to serve the local community and provide services. It is only right that the public purse does subsidise the provision of affordable swimming for population of dear old Bridgy and the surrounding area.

Bridgy old Boy wrote:
I am yet to hear of a municipal pool that actually makes money but if you know better please enlighten me. The point is that local authorities are here to serve the local community and provide services. It is only right that the public purse does subsidise the provision of affordable swimming for population of dear old Bridgy and the surrounding area.

Well said , the new pool and gym are indeed an excellent facility and my wife and myself today both signed up for an annual membership .....£580 a year for a couple , unlimited swimming , fitness studio etc and use of other 1610 centres . Without membership swimming is £3:90 an adult and £2 a junior , great value indeed as are lots of the other classes up there .....Come on Bridgwater lets get behind this and make it a success

Bridgy old Boy wrote:
I am yet to hear of a municipal pool that actually makes money but if you know better please enlighten me. The point is that local authorities are here to serve the local community and provide services. It is only right that the public purse does subsidise the provision of affordable swimming for population of dear old Bridgy and the surrounding area.

To Krysiz & Bridgeoldboy , You would expect me to comment on your observations :
quote, " you've seen private pools Bigger! Well, if your talking of Private Business, or Corporate. Or Millfield School, well yes. If your are referring to Privatly owned, well sorry, I have to defer to your knowledge.
Providing, swimming in the Community, is not a statory duty, of District Councils, but SDC, have aimed to and have been able to balance costs and find the way to fund such. If the Pool had been funded as part of the Olympic 2012 Funding, by Central Government, under the Labour Regime, as many were, in Towns and Cities upand down the Country, to enable our young swimmers in training. But no such funding available..
So, whilst I totally agree with your comment, you and others have to fully understand within the structure of Local Government, Councils @ which Council the responsibility falls. In this case, SCC, but as there was not funding from London, in collaboration with SDC, The Swimming Clubs, Even EDF, what has been achieved is Fantastic, under the circumstance..
Blue-Owl.
Despite, the total opposition from the Bridgwater Labour run Town Council, and the Bridgwater (B) Forward Protest lobby Group, manipulated by Cllr Smedley, they, had no alternative scheme to provide, long term swimming in Bridgwater. The Old Pool was, literally unsafe, there was structural problems with the metal corrosion, due to the moisture and chemical's after 20 yrs. The roof was found, in a structural survey, to be unsafe, with the possibilities of panels falling onto the Public swimming area's.
Just imagine, those Headlines in the Press, Sedgemoor Operates unfit Pool, Health & Safety nightmare!
Would the Labour Group & BBF, take responsibility, NO WAY!!
The running costs have been factored into the 20-30 year Projections, @ £400.000 per Annum . This is were joint working with SCC, who provide School Funding, will pay their share from SCC Budgets, to enable School Children to have swimming lesson, as part of their School Corriculum. Which will only restrict the General Public Sessions slightly, joint usage of a Civic Amenity. How can that be wrong??
David L Preece
Blue-Owl

notasnarrowmindedasm
ost wrote:

Bridgy old Boy wrote:
I am yet to hear of a municipal pool that actually makes money but if you know better please enlighten me. The point is that local authorities are here to serve the local community and provide services. It is only right that the public purse does subsidise the provision of affordable swimming for population of dear old Bridgy and the surrounding area.

Well said , the new pool and gym are indeed an excellent facility and my wife and myself today both signed up for an annual membership .....£580 a year for a couple , unlimited swimming , fitness studio etc and use of other 1610 centres . Without membership swimming is £3:90 an adult and £2 a junior , great value indeed as are lots of the other classes up there .....Come on Bridgwater lets get behind this and make it a success

Look forward to seeing you there, obviously I will not know u!!!
For Crysiz with his cynical Posts, suggesting backhanders, same old unfounded observation, with no basis on Factuality.
He day's the Pool is near empty, that's why, it was announced on Thursday that the Membership was already over 1200, with more residents signing up every day.
With regard, the points he remakes regards the Carpark, that, area was covered by myself, in previous posts.
His comment re the Tuurnstile, there are always, idea's, that Come to light, when new facilities open, these are regarded as Snaggings, which are not major, but assist better running of a facility, perhaps, some were trying to sneak past the Reception without paying!!!!
Try, enjoying this facility, you might enjoy it!!.
Blue-Owl
Come On all you "Doom & Gloom Merchants". We now have a Leisure Facility to be Proud Of. Use it.
David L Preece

Just back from my first swim session at the new pool .....excellent ....there were about 50 in the two pools altogether and there was plenty of space for me to get some lenghths in even though this was a public session . Membership is excellent value with unlimited swimming , use of the fitness centre and free classes in yoga , pilates , spinning and loads more . Great changing facilities as well ......only trouble now deciding what to do next ....

Can't wait to use the new swimming pool. I will remember to get out of the way of blue owl to avoid "lane rage"

The state of the changing rooms etc was disgusting on my visit, staff don't seem bothered one bit I wont be returning.

BaldCarl2 wrote:
Can't wait to use the new swimming pool. I will remember to get out of the way of blue owl to avoid "lane rage"

You really are so sad, yes really sad!
You'll be so pleased that I Hav'nt time to write more now!!!!
As I have spent most of yesterday with my Auntie, who is passing from us very soon.
Be good pasties, and play nicely, don't pick on any others while I fly away..
Blue-Owl
David L Preece.

So, where is this new pool - no idea when driving through town?

Samej1 wrote:
So, where is this new pool - no idea when driving through town?

Ask anyone, or go to Chilton School, on the NDR. Over the bridge from Riders.motorcycles.
I presume you are being sarcastic, rather than just enquiring, it takes SCC
A long time to put signposts up.
Unlike, Speed Camara's or 20 mph restrictions. Or close roads in Bridgwater completely, like West Quay.
Still we know who promoted that scheme, eh! Councillor Brian Smedley.
Regards David L Preece
Blue - Owl

Not sarcasm, no, but a horrendous lack of marketing and planning - lack of time to put up signs? It been years in the planning and building for goodness sakes.

I know it's there, everyone who reads this site knows its there, most of bridgwater knows its there, but how is the facility expected to attract visitors to the town when it's to all intents and purposes invisible to someone from out of the area?

Samej1 wrote:
Not sarcasm, no, but a horrendous lack of marketing and planning - lack of time to put up signs? It been years in the planning and building for goodness sakes.

I know it's there, everyone who reads this site knows its there, most of bridgwater knows its there, but how is the facility expected to attract visitors to the town when it's to all intents and purposes invisible to someone from out of the area?

I take your point, but, do we want it to be a pool for Bridgwater, and Sedgemoor residents to enjoy. What would you say if, had it widely publicised, which costs money that is
Hard to allocate to Advertising Budget.
This, new pool had both BBC & ITV coverage of the Opening on Friday, with Camara crews.
You and the other swimmers, could'nt swim because they had reached their maximum entry Nos.
Enjoy, whilst u can, school holidays will be upon us soon.
Patrons taking up Membership every day.
The Company running the day to day management, will have their own website to promote it on, along with the other leisure facilities they operate.
Very successfully around the Country, which is why they won the contract to operate the Pool & Dryside area.
Regards Blue -Owl

A couple of canvas banners with pool opening date & times etc. across the town - 50 quid each? The can stay there across summer and anyone passing through could be a potential customer.

Road signs are a no-brainer, we don't want to keep the pool to ourselves - having it full to the brim every day would vindicate all that's gone before!

Surely the operators of the pool want and need to maximise the income from it ?

That being the case then yes it should be properly advertised. having spent x million on it a few hundred / couple of thousand more won't make any difference and surely would or should have been budgeted for ?

I quite agree with Samej1 - it should be full to capacity irrespective of where the customers come from. If it isn't then a few years down the line it'll be deja vu with the Splash when equipment / machinery needs replacing and they don't have the funds to do so.

windswept and interesting wrote:
Surely the operators of the pool want and need to maximise the income from it ?

That being the case then yes it should be properly advertised. having spent x million on it a few hundred / couple of thousand more won't make any difference and surely would or should have been budgeted for ?

I quite agree with Samej1 - it should be full to capacity irrespective of where the customers come from. If it isn't then a few years down the line it'll be deja vu with the Splash when equipment / machinery needs replacing and they don't have the funds to do so.

You completely missed my point as usual, which was of course the pool needs to be open to all 24/7, but what I was saying is, if it was to be so popular this Spring/ Summer. That visitors from away, came and used our facility, in great numbers, which could happen.
To the detriment of local users, who should have priority of use. If the entry numbers at any time reach the maximum, then local swimmers, would complain that they could'nt get in.
Regards Blue-Owl.
Ps, I do not expect there are many people, who are not aware or its location in Chilton, NDR Bridgwater.

windswept and interesting wrote:
Surely the operators of the pool want and need to maximise the income from it ?

That being the case then yes it should be properly advertised. having spent x million on it a few hundred / couple of thousand more won't make any difference and surely would or should have been budgeted for ?

I quite agree with Samej1 - it should be full to capacity irrespective of where the customers come from. If it isn't then a few years down the line it'll be deja vu with the Splash when equipment / machinery needs replacing and they don't have the funds to do so.

You completely missed my point as usual, which was of course the pool needs to be open to all 24/7, but what I was saying is, if it was to be so popular this Spring/ Summer. That visitors from away, came and used our facility, in great numbers, which could happen.
To the detriment of local users, who should have priority of use. If the entry numbers at any time reach the maximum, then local swimmers, would complain that they could'nt get in.
Regards Blue-Owl.
Ps, I do not expect there are many people, who are not aware or its location in Chilton, NDR Bridgwater.

windswept and interesting wrote:
Surely the operators of the pool want and need to maximise the income from it ?

That being the case then yes it should be properly advertised. having spent x million on it a few hundred / couple of thousand more won't make any difference and surely would or should have been budgeted for ?

I quite agree with Samej1 - it should be full to capacity irrespective of where the customers come from. If it isn't then a few years down the line it'll be deja vu with the Splash when equipment / machinery needs replacing and they don't have the funds to do so.

This pool is nothing like the splash , it is a small 25m swimming pool not a large fun pool . Why would visitors from away want to use this when there are larger pools at Taunton , Street , WSM etc. It is a great little pool for local residents . The pool and leisure centre facility already has good membership take up so funds are coming in .

You keep banging on about, what fun the old Splash was, and that the numbers attending were great, etc.

Well, sorry to dispell your delusions, or misguided thoughts, through "Rosé Coloured Spectacles.

The Splash, was built over 20 years ago, which to a design then was thought to be fantastic, providing a replacement pool for the Lido.
Unfortunatly, as happens sometimes, the Contractor hit financial problems, within his operating field, on other projects, and went Bust. This leaving SDC to find another Contractor to finish the project.
The overall costs of operating the Splash, were £700.000 per Annum, SDC tried to find leisure operators across the Country to take over and run the Splash, Non were Forthcoming! Fact!!
SDC residents were subbing every swimmer, to the tune of £3.40 who used the Splash Facility.Fact!
The Harsh reality, is that SDC have a statory duty to fund and protect what is known as front line services, from your Council Tax. Then, try with what's left
try to fund every thing else that is on the list of Costs.
Applying, priority to the most needed, with reductions every year in the money collected in Business Tax, sent to the Treasury, of which a proportion is returned, to SCC, to pay for Schools Roads, Hospitals, Garbage Collections & Recycling etc.
This is why, the news from Parliament yesterday, re that Councils will now get Financial Mitigation Money, for having Nuclear Power Stations in there area, Something, the Bridgwater MP, who some of you think is useless, if you were to realise as to which important Strutiny Commitee's as a Backbencher he sits on, then perhaps your views of Iain might change, has along with SDC Leader, & Chief Exec been fighting for, nearly 5 years now, since Hinkley C Project was announced. Conservative Lead actions.
So , may be in future years that money will be made available for the Projects that are asked for for Funding, in West Somerset, Sedgemoor, and Taunton.
As I've indicated b4, Sellafield received£10 million lump sum & 1.5 million each year after, from British Nuclear Fuels, in those days. Therefore with inflation, we could be looking @ a £25 million settlement sum, with maybe £ 2.5 million Annually.
Regards Blue-Owl
David L Preece (Conserative)

Please can I add these points: re the above Post from myself-

Swimming provision is not a Statatory Duty for the District Council to provide, it is for Central Government to allocate monies through to the Somerset CC.
Like Building Schools, to Fund.

Whilst , I was there when these very difficult and emotive meetings were going on in Sedgemoor District Council, with the Labour & Liberal Councillors, Bridgwater Forward Campaigners, Save The Splash Group. None of these were able to put forth any other Scheme!! At all.
Even the Bridgwater Town Council who backed the Splash Protest Group Lead by Labour Councillor Smedley, did'nt or Would 'nt make any offer to fund it for say 6 months, to give it an extra period to remain open..
We tried, every thing we could to keep the Splash open, as we said we would at the time. But, other factors in regard to the safeness of the Splash Structure came to light, after Building appraisals were carried out, meaning that, under Health & Safety, we could have had an incident, where the roof panels, could fall on swimmers, or the rusty infrastructure deteriating by steam, water, chemical corrosion had occurred over its life.
By making this decision, we knew what it meant, but, there was no other option.
That's the Tough Decisions that have to be taken, in life as well as in Politics.
Regards Blue-Owl
David L Preece

Did anyone over the age of 12 actually enjoy the Splash? I remember the slides and wave machine being great fun as a child, but it wasn't really a swimming pool -- if you wanted to do some actual swimming you had to go to Burnham or Taunton.

The New pool is a great facility to have in the town, But we have gone from the Lido ,To the Splash and now to this, it's not exactly what I would call progress.

It seem that Sedgemoor District Council do not keep things maintained correctly which is counter productive, We have seen this with the Town Hall recently and the Big Bad Town Council have took it on when SDC were happy to see a much used facility be turned in to flats! I just hope that they maintain these facilities and were not here again in 15-20 years having to see this pool being closed and plans for Hot Tub in Kings Square as a suitable replacement.

Makes I laugh wrote:
The New pool is a great facility to have in the town, But we have gone from the Lido ,To the Splash and now to this, it's not exactly what I would call progress.

It seem that Sedgemoor District Council do not keep things maintained correctly which is counter productive, We have seen this with the Town Hall recently and the Big Bad Town Council have took it on when SDC were happy to see a much used facility be turned in to flats! I just hope that they maintain these facilities and were not here again in 15-20 years having to see this pool being closed and plans for Hot Tub in Kings Square as a suitable replacement.

You really should get your facts right, SDC spent around £ 1 Million Pounds on the Town Hall, refurbishing it, making it watertight, before handing the entire block to the Town Council, as to complete the internal Offices, auditorium, and the Charter Room. & backstage areas.
Regards David LPreece.

My Facts are right Mr Preece, If the town Hall was maintained the 1 Million pound refurb wouldn't of been needed, And as you well know if you are honest that if a large piece of Masonary which fell from the building on to the pathway below It probably wouldn't of happened! I have been a regular user of the Town Hall for nearly 20 years and if it wasn't for the societies that regularly use it the Inside would be in a worst state than it is now!! I have made many small repairs while using the Stage Area over the years an I know others have as well Improvements made to help it along as a Theatre have been made by Various people free of Charge because the Users care about the building when SDC did not!

Makes I laugh wrote:
My Facts are right Mr Preece, If the town Hall was maintained the 1 Million pound refurb wouldn't of been needed, And as you well know if you are honest that if a large piece of Masonary which fell from the building on to the pathway below It probably wouldn't of happened! I have been a regular user of the Town Hall for nearly 20 years and if it wasn't for the societies that regularly use it the Inside would be in a worst state than it is now!! I have made many small repairs while using the Stage Area over the years an I know others have as well Improvements made to help it along as a Theatre have been made by Various people free of Charge because the Users care about the building when SDC did not!

And in reply to your posts, I say why has your beloved Town Hall been neglected since it was passed to the BTC to maintain and upgrade the interior infrastructure.
This is of course a number one project that the " Civic Enhancement Fund"
Could easily fund. So why has the Town Council not done so. No they would rather keep that Fund collected on a special precept / rate set ring fenced for such enhancements. No they would rather, as we've heard refer to this monies, as the Town Councils contingency fund. £260.000 Our money sat in Nat West....... I wonder if legally they can do that, collect a special precept on the rates, then use it for other purposes. ????
Blue-Owl
David L Preece

The new pool was turning people away tonight .....totaly full , as was the fitness room and most of the classes ....well done all involved this is a GREAT facillity ..

notasnarrowmindedasm
ost wrote:
The new pool was turning people away tonight .....totaly full , as was the fitness room and most of the classes ....well done all involved this is a GREAT facillity ..

Great..... But, does this mean by design it's too small?

Great to have new pool,not been yet but hope to soon.Splash to me was a puddle with a slide ok for children to have fun in.I was a teenager in Clevedon and used to travel to Bridgwater with friends to have great days out at the Lido,now its another supermarket,can't imagine anybody visiting Bridgwater now unless they have supermarket fetish.

Samej1 wrote:

notasnarrowmindedasm

ost wrote:
The new pool was turning people away tonight .....totaly full , as was the fitness room and most of the classes ....well done all involved this is a GREAT facillity ..

Great..... But, does this mean by design it's too small?

Personally think its about right .....its new and people will check it out ...not everyone will keep going and people will soon work out times when it is quieter . I can remember taking my kids to the splash and being the only ones in there ....at least being the size it is it stands a chance of paying for itself .

I actually used the pool for the first time today, and I give it a 4 out of 10. It wasn't bad, but it was a bit... obvious, you know? I think the whole "water" motif is a bit played out in swimming pools these days, a bit too much of a crowd-pleaser. I need something challenging, something subversive, something that really sends a message, yeah? Like, I was at this experimental water park in Shoreditch last month where you're blindfolded and led into this small, chlorine-scented room, and a French DJ pipes through breakbeat jungle constructed from tape loops of waterfalls at 130 decibels. So the whole experience is just totally minimalist, but juxtaposed with this real multimedia vibe. It was a really spiritual experience and a powerful commentary on laissez-faire capitalism.

Blue Owl wrote:

Makes I laugh wrote:
My Facts are right Mr Preece, If the town Hall was maintained the 1 Million pound refurb wouldn't of been needed, And as you well know if you are honest that if a large piece of Masonary which fell from the building on to the pathway below It probably wouldn't of happened! I have been a regular user of the Town Hall for nearly 20 years and if it wasn't for the societies that regularly use it the Inside would be in a worst state than it is now!! I have made many small repairs while using the Stage Area over the years an I know others have as well Improvements made to help it along as a Theatre have been made by Various people free of Charge because the Users care about the building when SDC did not!

And in reply to your posts, I say why has your beloved Town Hall been neglected since it was passed to the BTC to maintain and upgrade the interior infrastructure.
This is of course a number one project that the " Civic Enhancement Fund"
Could easily fund. So why has the Town Council not done so. No they would rather keep that Fund collected on a special precept / rate set ring fenced for such enhancements. No they would rather, as we've heard refer to this monies, as the Town Councils contingency fund. £260.000 Our money sat in Nat West....... I wonder if legally they can do that, collect a special precept on the rates, then use it for other purposes. ????
Blue-Owl
David L Preece

You cannot be telling me that you blame the Bridgwater Town Council for Neglect after there short time running the Facility after years and years of trying to get the SDC to part with some money for even the most basic of things!! What ever short comings our Town Council may or May not have I can assure you that they have an Interest in keeping the Town Hall as a base for the many Theatre and Arts groups that use the Building on a regular basis not like SDC who were happy to turn it in to flats!! I have no political preference or agenda I just want facility's like the Town Hall to be Available to anyone who wants to use it and I hope the newly formed committee from the Town Council which has been created will talk and listen to users as The Town Council have done so far, but time will tell if this happens, Anyway we seem to be off topic!!

Makes I laugh wrote:

Blue Owl wrote:

Makes I laugh wrote:
My Facts are right Mr Preece, If the town Hall was maintained the 1 Million pound refurb wouldn't of been needed, And as you well know if you are honest that if a large piece of Masonary which fell from the building on to the pathway below It probably wouldn't of happened! I have been a regular user of the Town Hall for nearly 20 years and if it wasn't for the societies that regularly use it the Inside would be in a worst state than it is now!! I have made many small repairs while using the Stage Area over the years an I know others have as well Improvements made to help it along as a Theatre have been made by Various people free of Charge because the Users care about the building when SDC did not!

And in reply to your posts, I say why has your beloved Town Hall been neglected since it was passed to the BTC to maintain and upgrade the interior infrastructure.
This is of course a number one project that the " Civic Enhancement Fund"
Could easily fund. So why has the Town Council not done so. No they would rather keep that Fund collected on a special precept / rate set ring fenced for such enhancements. No they would rather, as we've heard refer to this monies, as the Town Councils contingency fund. £260.000 Our money sat in Nat West....... I wonder if legally they can do that, collect a special precept on the rates, then use it for other purposes. ????
Blue-Owl
David L Preece

You cannot be telling me that you blame the Bridgwater Town Council for Neglect after there short time running the Facility after years and years of trying to get the SDC to part with some money for even the most basic of things!! What ever short comings our Town Council may or May not have I can assure you that they have an Interest in keeping the Town Hall as a base for the many Theatre and Arts groups that use the Building on a regular basis not like SDC who were happy to turn it in to flats!! I have no political preference or agenda I just want facility's like the Town Hall to be Available to anyone who wants to use it and I hope the newly formed committee from the Town Council which has been created will talk and listen to users as The Town Council have done so far, but time will tell if this happens, Anyway we seem to be off topic!!

Makes I Laugh.!
I am afraid you are mistaken in your last post above.
It was indeed the Town Council, led, by the then Mayor, Cllr Monteith who
Had clandestine meeting with Express Park Director, off site, next door to Express Park in the Inn / restaurant on Bristol Rd. with the instructions given by the Councillor Monteith, as to draw up plans to redevelope the Town Hall,
There were flaws in this plan.
He had no remit for this meeting, even as Mayor, or a Councillor.
The Town Hall Island Site as it is known, was owned by SDC. Not Bridgwater Town Council.
He withheld these facts from the Express Park Director, deliberately as to sanctify his actions, which were underhandly being forwarded.
When in the further presentation to the Full TC Members, I raised these above facts, I was told to shut it, by Cllr Montieth, of course I did not.
Jeff, the Express Park representative, felt very uncomfortable as he realised he had been used, and not given the full facts.
So, it was not SDC who wanted to put flats into this site originally.
The Town Hall, is available to all, for future use, this is because Sedgemoor spent the money making the external weather proof, Guarenteed for 20 + years.
By Giving it to the Town Council to run it, the future is secure, all the Bridgwater Town Council need to do is refurb the internal fabric of the building, to ensure the Health & Safety aspects are carried out, to the standards that are required. There's £260k earmarked for such a project.
Sedgemoor were quite legal in passing the Town Hall to the Town Council for the £1.00 fee. As it remains in the Communities Usage.
However, how Cllr Monteith was going to give the Gem in the Crown of Bridgwater Town Council, away, just
Beggars Believe.!!!!
Give away an asset for £1.00 to a Private developer, as to secure 150 years tenure of the Mayors Parlour.
And the Town Council Meeting room, with the Charter Room.
David L Preece
Ex BTC / SDC
Blue-Owl

I'm afraid with the knowledge I have I am not mistaken as SDC were happy for the Town Hall to be turned in to flats, As I have said else where I have no political agenda or points to won in battle of who does what in Bridgwater, I am just a resident (Born and Bred) who is Involved with many Groups who use many facilities in the town and I speak as I find, but back to my original point SDC did not and does not Maintain facilities and buildings as they should and this leads to things being shut of as in case of 'My beloved Town Hall' as you put it needing a massive Injection of Cash when things become Dangerous, When if Maintained correctly could of been avoided, And my last note on the subject of the Town Hall is that Bridgwater Town Council (who are less than Perfect) are more approachable than SDC (Again less than Perfect) ever were when they ran it, like I said I speak as I find, No political agenda, I don't care if your Red or Blue as long as you do whats right.

Back on Topic, I took my Son to the New pool on Saturday morning for a swimming lesson and the facilities are Very Good and it will be an asset to the town, Lets please look after this one and keep it up to scratch!!

Dr. Lewis Beltgun wrote:
I actually used the pool for the first time today, and I give it a 4 out of 10. It wasn't bad, but it was a bit... obvious, you know? I think the whole "water" motif is a bit played out in swimming pools these days, a bit too much of a crowd-pleaser. I need something challenging, something subversive, something that really sends a message, yeah? Like, I was at this experimental water park in Shoreditch last month where you're blindfolded and led into this small, chlorine-scented room, and a French DJ pipes through breakbeat jungle constructed from tape loops of waterfalls at 130 decibels. So the whole experience is just totally minimalist, but juxtaposed with this real multimedia vibe. It was a really spiritual experience and a powerful commentary on laissez-faire capitalism.

Well, what ever floats your boat! Sound to me that you had quite an experience, go for it. More room @ the Chilton facilities for everyone else. Each to their own.
Blue-Owl
I remember transcendental experiences like that when I was younger, listening to John Harrison & Paul McMacca Cartney.
David L Preece

Makes I laugh wrote:
I'm afraid with the knowledge I have I am not mistaken as SDC were happy for the Town Hall to be turned in to flats, As I have said else where I have no political agenda or points to won in battle of who does what in Bridgwater, I am just a resident (Born and Bred) who is Involved with many Groups who use many facilities in the town and I speak as I find, but back to my original point SDC did not and does not Maintain facilities and buildings as they should and this leads to things being shut of as in case of 'My beloved Town Hall' as you put it needing a massive Injection of Cash when things become Dangerous, When if Maintained correctly could of been avoided, And my last note on the subject of the Town Hall is that Bridgwater Town Council (who are less than Perfect) are more approachable than SDC (Again less than Perfect) ever were when they ran it, like I said I speak as I find, No political agenda, I don't care if your Red or Blue as long as you do whats right.

Well, what ever floats your boat! Sound to me that you had quite an experience, go for it. More room @ the Chilton facilities for everyone else. Each to their own.
Blue-Owl
I remember transcendental experiences like that when I was younger, listening to John Harrison & Paul McMacca Cartney.
David L Preece

Whoops!!

Makes I laugh wrote:
I'm afraid with the knowledge I have I am not mistaken as SDC were happy for the Town Hall to be turned in to flats, As I have said else where I have no political agenda or points to won in battle of who does what in Bridgwater, I am just a resident (Born and Bred) who is Involved with many Groups who use many facilities in the town and I speak as I find, but back to my original point SDC did not and does not Maintain facilities and buildings as they should and this leads to things being shut of as in case of 'My beloved Town Hall' as you put it needing a massive Injection of Cash when things become Dangerous, When if Maintained correctly could of been avoided, And my last note on the subject of the Town Hall is that Bridgwater Town Council (who are less than Perfect) are more approachable than SDC (Again less than Perfect) ever were when they ran it, like I said I speak as I find, No political agenda, I don't care if your Red or Blue as long as you do whats right.

Cover the last 10+ years, SDC revenues Income has been reduced, therefore various fundings for all kinds off services have had to be calculated as to whether monies are spent, after essential Services, that are regulated as to having to be funded. As one of the Councillors that were part of this
Painful but neccessary process, we only cut where we had to, of course everyone thinks their cause, should be top of the list, but in reality this is just not possible.
Before, I've spoken of The Gershwin
-3% year on year reductions, on top of the cuts imposed due to the recession knock on effects.
There just is not the Funding available as there was.
I have also posted before, that even if the Money could have been allocated to do running repairs, these would have been a Paint, job only. which would not have led to the Finished External structure as it is today.
You talk of the Groups that use the Town Hall facility, Art's groups, etc.
Last week I posted re the amount of money actually that SDC spent on its
Assets, are financially restrictive, in a list of : Would like to do!!
As to what can be actually achieve do, in to days climate conditions.
Blue- Owl
Regards DavidPreece