Readers may have noticed a letter to the editor from me published today in the Windsor Star, entitled: "Neighbourhood cast as villains." It would be easy to miss since it is wrapped around four columns at the bottom of Page A9 and includes several "tombstones."
These are known as layout no-nos in the newspaper business since tombstones make an article difficult to follow and read. I find that the Star tends to run letters critical of the newspaper in such obscure fashion. My original letter was around 450 words, and I edited it down to under 300 words at the Star's request. Here is the original letter:
Neighbourhood cast as villains
I have to object to your assertion in an April 18 editorial that I am doing my best to stir up opposition to the proposed new aquatic centre.
I continue to be on record in support of a new 50-meter pool and aquatics centre, but not at the expense of the vulnerable neighbourhoods around Glengarry and Adie Knox. These people are not against the new facility either. All they want to do is hold onto what they have. Yet they are somehow being cast as the villains, something like South Windsor neighbours were when they “whined and carped” to prevent DRTP trucks from disrupting their lifestyles a few years back.
As part of the efforts to manufacture a business plan to take the water features away from Water World, great myths are being created. The biggest myth is that Water World is hardly used because people from outside the community are afraid to trespass on the “inner city.”
I urge these fear mongers to take a look at the stats. Last year, 83,357 people visited the centre, which includes a lane pool, leisure tot pool, therapy pool, climbing wall and water slide. Many were from all over the city and county.
Despite this, the water component of Water World lost about $450,000. As the new aquatics centre will find out, swimming pools are labour intensive and energy hogs. They lose money no matter how wildly successful they are in attracting users.
The big box aquatics centre should help revitalize downtown, but let's not forget the spinoff business of Water World to the Wyandotte Steet east business district.
Contrary to popular belief, Water World is not falling apart. The city has plowed a lot of money into upkeep of the 13-year-old facility -- including $300,000 last year on a new roof.
Another belief from the outlanders is that it’s an easy walk from Water World to the site of the proposed big box aquatics centre. In fact, it’s 10 blocks across several major thoroughfares, and many of the hundreds of Glengarry kids who attend summer camp and after school “homework’ programs are seven to 10-years old.
When Councillors make this decision, they need to be reminded what the city’s Official Plan says about the necessity of strong neighbourhoods: “Each neighbourhood will have a central area that provides a focus for activities and is within a convenient walking distance. Here, people will find shops, jobs, neighbourhood based services, public places that are safe and inviting, and a place to meet with neighbours and join in community life."
Alan Halberstadt
Ward 4 City Councillor
I have to object to your assertion in an April 18 editorial that I am doing my best to stir up opposition to the proposed new aquatic centre.
I continue to be on record in support of a new 50-meter pool and aquatics centre, but not at the expense of the vulnerable neighbourhoods around Glengarry and Adie Knox. These people are not against the new facility either. All they want to do is hold onto what they have. Yet they are somehow being cast as the villains, something like South Windsor neighbours were when they “whined and carped” to prevent DRTP trucks from disrupting their lifestyles a few years back.
As part of the efforts to manufacture a business plan to take the water features away from Water World, great myths are being created. The biggest myth is that Water World is hardly used because people from outside the community are afraid to trespass on the “inner city.”
I urge these fear mongers to take a look at the stats. Last year, 83,357 people visited the centre, which includes a lane pool, leisure tot pool, therapy pool, climbing wall and water slide. Many were from all over the city and county.
Despite this, the water component of Water World lost about $450,000. As the new aquatics centre will find out, swimming pools are labour intensive and energy hogs. They lose money no matter how wildly successful they are in attracting users.
The big box aquatics centre should help revitalize downtown, but let's not forget the spinoff business of Water World to the Wyandotte Steet east business district.
Contrary to popular belief, Water World is not falling apart. The city has plowed a lot of money into upkeep of the 13-year-old facility -- including $300,000 last year on a new roof.
Another belief from the outlanders is that it’s an easy walk from Water World to the site of the proposed big box aquatics centre. In fact, it’s 10 blocks across several major thoroughfares, and many of the hundreds of Glengarry kids who attend summer camp and after school “homework’ programs are seven to 10-years old.
When Councillors make this decision, they need to be reminded what the city’s Official Plan says about the necessity of strong neighbourhoods: “Each neighbourhood will have a central area that provides a focus for activities and is within a convenient walking distance. Here, people will find shops, jobs, neighbourhood based services, public places that are safe and inviting, and a place to meet with neighbours and join in community life."
Alan Halberstadt
Ward 4 City Councillor
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