Swimming pool an ugly eyesore?

[Kintyre Forum News]

Latest news is that Jack McConnell will officially open the Aqualibrium on 2nd June 2006.

[Tom B]

...so close to being open for the Half Marathon & 10k on the 28th May - I wonder if we could get in early...?!

[Sport]

Tom,

Think that is the offical date - opening to the public is meant to be a couple of weeks before!

[Tom B]

ah - great news - thanks

[Duke o' Ralston]

Hello all, thought I would add my tuppence worth to the ugly pool thread.

I think that we are witnessing the construction of the biggest misuse of funds since the Scottish Parliament was built, (which makes Jack McConnel the perfect dignitary to perform the opening ceremony).

In my opinion Campbeltown was in dire need of a purpose built indoor sports facility, what we have got is a pool which is no bigger than the previous one, a gym/fitness suite which according to the staff who will be working in it is far too small for it's purpose, this seems incredible given the size of the place, a library which apparently was used to secure additional funding but seems totally out of place within a swimming pool and a cafe which doesn't make full use of it's biggest asset, the views across the loch.

When you see the Atlantis centre in Oban which has one very large indoor sports hall and a second smaller hall, a pool + flume + beginners pool, a cafe, all weather flood lit football pitches and an adventure playground all within a much smaller but infinitely more cost effective building then you begin to think that the £7,000,000 we had at our disposal has not been put to it's best use.

I know it can be said that we all had the opportunity to view the plans and air our thoughts at the time but we tend to put our faith in the architects/designers etc when a project of this size is being put forward. I just wonder how much input was taken from youth sports bodies like Sports Scotland when drawing up the plans for this facility, how many similar projects in other areas, other countries were looked to gain some ideas about what would really benefit a town like ours when spending this amount of money. I just feel that we have missed a huge opportunity to have had a tremendous facility in place which would have benefited countless groups, clubs, individuals etc and instead all we have really gained is a new pool housed in an overkill of concrete.

I agree with a previous poster who mentioned the maintenance costs involved in this building, I really fear that we will not be able to meet the costs involved because of the lack of functions the facility has to attract paying customers. Even the inclusion of one large sports hall which would require little maintenance would have opened up a big avenue for additional income. I would doubt the income from a library, cafe and gym could ever sustain the upkeep of this building.

I'm pleased we will have a pool, I'm just so frustrated at that we have gained very little else.

[Bobbie En Tejas]

Is the gymnasium designed in such a way that it could double as an auditorium for concerts? As interested as the town seems to be in music events, etc, it seems like it would have made sense to build in that concept. I have seen stadiums in which they can adjust the seating according to the event, pulling it out from the wall for either sports events or events requiring a stage.

[Frosty]

Hi Bobbie,
I'm sure when they talked about a gymnasium the design conditions would have been '' What can we put in this space ?'' There will be no way that a room with flexible seating and space for a concert stage would have been considered .
I'm looking forward to visiting the complex with my family in the summer, and I hope the town does enjoy this facility .
Comparing what the Town has been given with this building against what was discussed , requested and , with a little bit of thought and planning, what could have been achieved then it is my opinion that not only is it an eyesore , but also a huge disapointment to the Town.

Frosty

[Rabmacd]

Duke, my understanding is that there would not have been funding available without the library, as a Community facility.

I agree with your sentiments regarding the "all singing, all dancing" sports facility, but if we cannot even get funding for an all weather sports pitch, then I'm certainly willing to accept Aqualibrium as the best we can get. Better than nothing. I know there will be people who will say that we should not settle for "second best", but from a personal point of view, we have been far too long without a pool. For everyone's sake I am just happy to be getting one

You are correct---the plans were available for all to see. Bit like shutting (or should that be shuttering ) the stable door after the horse has bolted.

[Duke o' Ralston]

I can see what you're sayin Rab and I agree we have been too long without a pool, especially those of us with kids who have never known a local pool. I do think though that, as happened with the Parliament building, in commisioning the facility there was too much emphasis put on the design and not enough on how it would fit the needs of the punters for years to come.

Time will tell, s'pose the main thing at the moment is to get it open and let folk make up there minds at that time.

[Bobbie En Tejas]

Okay, I'll say it out loud after looking at the web cam of the new building....

what were they thinking

[Bitter End]

Texas Boab -- The wurd CARBUNKLE ! cums tae mind

[Trapper]

[quote="Bobbie En Tejas"]"Is the gymnasium designed in such a way that it could double as an auditorium for concerts? As interested as the town seems to be in music events, etc, it seems like it would have made sense to build in that concept. "

I could be wrong but I think I remenber there being a proposal at one point to incorporate an auditorium within the project. But there was something about demolishing the victoria hall, and there was a huge outcry and petitions were made up and all sorts of stuff. I'm sure this didn't lead to the abandonment of that plan, it was probably more to do with funding. We do need an auditorium for music events etc. as the victoria hall is totally inapropriate and is basically in a pretty poor state. Incedentally I think the new pool is a very nice building, and this stuff aout it not utilising the view of the loch is a bit strange. The cafe looks out onto the loch and has an outdoor balcony type thing looking over the loch. I think it's better to have that view from the cafe than from the swimming area.

p.s. I hope they use the old "red band time up" system. many a boy had fun pinging those industrial elastic bands at each other.

[GarySutherland]

I really do wonder whether Campbeltown and the rest of Kintyre can support such an ambitious project as the Aqualibrium, or whether it will go bust within 12 months. I've seen no public announcement of what it will actually cost us to use it yet. If not enough people go there will it become just another excuse for the council to put up the Council Tax?

Cheers
Gary

[Bitter End]

It wull be grand fur the canoe club Garry,itl be greatfur yer weans afore ye droon thim in the Bay! Ither clubs use pool time fur trainin! Itl save the local kids gaen tae lochgilpheed fur lessons Be positive! git a couple o polo teams goin! wan fur canoes an wan fur swimmin! Use the bliddy thing!(while its ther!)

[Ship called Dignity]

I really do wonder whether Campbeltown and the rest of Kintyre can support such an ambitious project as the Aqualibrium, or whether it will go bust within 12 months. I've seen no public announcement of what it will actually cost us to use it yet. If not enough people go there will it become just another excuse for the council to put up the Council Tax?

Cheers
Gary

As Cllr Kelly reminded me a few months ago Argyll & Bute Council made an increase to the Council Tax two years ago to fund the swimming pool. As the increase was made then, it means every subsequent year there should be an allocation of funds for the swimming pool. This was a point that Cllr Kelly wanted to keep to the fore to ensure the long term secuirty of the pool and not allow the money to go elsewhere.

Lets just use it and support it as much as we all can. I atucally think the cafe with its outdoor area will be busy - well on the nice days anyway!

I still like the design of the building - can't understand why so many people moan about the design of this when we have the likes of Park Square in the state it is in, Woolworths in the middle of the town (looks completely out of place etc) and of course the infamous N&D Sign doon the front!

But I can understand why some people don't like it at all - it is just different views on it.

Any official word on when it is opening?