On Thursday afternoon, as the mercury started dipping from its high of 40ish, I took my daughters for a swim at Bega Pool.
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Unsurprisingly, we were far from alone.
There were schoolkids galore cooling down after the season's hottest day so far, their parents either joining them or sitting poolside in the shade watching on; plenty of youngsters in swimming lessons; and a group of women taking an aqua aerobics class.
We were all being watched over - or taught - by the friendly and enthusiastic staff and managers Mark and Zoe Philipzen.
The shire's public pools are undoubtedly much-loved and frequented facilities. That they attract user income of $860,000 annually is testament to that.
The issue that is washing over the community at the moment is how to pay for their future operation, maintenance and renewal.
The argument that it should be "user pays" is quite frankly ridiculous.
Can you imagine if that same argument was applied elsewhere? We'd have no public infrastructure - or at the least much higher taxes and highly divided communities.
Given the vitriol being directed at the council and councillors this week following the decision to request a rate rise to pay for the pools into the future, putting the onus back on the community to further support community infrastructure appears a bridge too far.
What is clear is that the council has some significant questions to answer as to the financial situation and money management that has got us to this spot.
What is also clear is that a neater solution would be for government to dip into their bucket to fund capital works on our pools' renewals.
Yes, it of course would still be public funds, but it wouldn't entail raising more than we're already paying.
Bear in mind this would be - if approved - among the largest single rate rises in BVSC history, and only for pools.
The state government has come to the party in recent times to fund public infrastructure to take some of the pressure of our local council.
Among the projects that come to mind are the sport complex masterplans for Bega and Pambula ($13.5million), and the Bega to Tathra Bike Path ($3million).
While not disparaging these worthwhile community projects, I'd say there were more people at the Bega Pool in one afternoon than would ever regularly use a costly path all the way to Tathra.
And the pool also provides employment opportunities and vital life lessons. A bike path?
Mr Constance, what do you say? Can you help?
Have Your Say. Send me a letter to the edior using the form below
Ben Smyth
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
