I also read with interest and an open mind N&R ed page editor Allen Johnson’s column on Greensboro’s taxpayer-funded aquatic center, the latest in the newspaper’s promotional series.
In fairness, Johnson brings back former City Council member Mike Barber, the political force behind the aquatic center. For all the respect Barber earned for bringing some common sense to the council, he still was afflicted the typical local politicians’ view that sports and entertainment venues are economic development drivers. Seems to me a few years ago Barber was big on promoting Guilford County as a market for equestrian sports. We see how that’s working out in Rockingham County.
On the other side of the spectrum, Johnson believes the aquatic center can be an instrument for social change, going so far as to quote a book on the social history of swimming pools bemoaning “private pool owners fenced themselves into their own backyards.”
Pretty much what you’d expect from the local paper of record. Bottom line is the deal’s done, ground has been broken, although we can pretty much expect the pthe project to go over budget at some point. Looking toward the future, John Hammer expresses hope that the current council “is not going to be satisfied with a city staff that tells them whatever is convenient.” We’ll see.
