Mayor quashes community’s hope with a slap in the face

The Beagle Editor, MAYOR QUASHES COMMUNITY’S HOPE!

Tuesday’s Council meeting saw Mayor Innes deliver a ‘slap in the face’ to all those in her community who, over decades, have been advocating for, fund raising for and wishing for an indoor heated 50m pool for year round use.

These people deserve a Mayoral apology.

Mayor Innes’ recommendation to council was, “not to include a 50m pool” or “retain the existing 50m pool,” in the Mackay Park Development. Clr McGinlay was the only dissenting councillor when it came to the vote.

Mayor Innes states, ”Based on all the community engagement council has undertaken .... it is clear that the concept plan delivers on the community’s highest priorities.....” Really?

Has a ‘splash pool’ always been a higher priority than a 50m pool?

AND WHEN DID COUNCIL CONSULT WITH THE COMMUNITY ABOUT REPLACING THE CURRENT 50m POOL WITH A 25m POOL?

In fact, when did Council seek community input on anything related to this proposed development?

Oh, yes! I remember. They asked schools to write letters of support for grant funding, without revealing the downgrade in pool size. When schools found out they withdrew their support.

All Council has done, is ‘inform’ us of management decisions. Even when Councillors were provided with 2 concept plans to choose from, both had only 25m pools.

The Mackay Park Sunset Committee, that is supposed to represent the community, has no one on it from the swimming community, has been controlled by council, has sought no community input or allowed community attendance.

As a way of placating 50m pool users, Mayor Innes has apparently considering a suggestion from the Bay Swim Club to provide for long distance swim training in a netted off ocean area.

The fact that this suggestion was even made, illustrates the fact that there is an obvious NEED for a 50m pool in our community by the Swimming Club, Surf Lifesaving Club, competitive swimmers etc, even if it cannot provide year round training as is required.

This council resolution needs to be rescinded as it fails to reflect community needs, impacts, expectations or priorities.

I don’t know who our Mayor is purporting to represent, but it certainly doesn’t appear to be us.

Patricia Gardiner

Deua River Valley

There is being slapped in the face and THEN there is a slap in face that few forget.

#Opinion