Star comment: Future of pool vital for Shrewsbury
In Shrewsbury the wheels of change often rotate slowly. But there is something to be said for that, in that it allows plenty of time to chew over which is the best way forward for the town.
One of the hottest topics at the moment is the future of the public swimming pool in The Quarry. The result of our own snap poll to test the water, so to speak, has taken some of those involved in the debate by surprise.
The largest percentage of our respondents want to see the pool moved to Shrewsbury Sports Village. Nevertheless, there are many who want to see the pool stay at the Quarry, and MP Daniel Kawczynski says that was the feedback he was getting during his general election campaign.
Figures of cost and projected usage have been provided for the various options and will have influenced how Shrewsbury folk responded in the survey.
An analogy would be alternative questions about, say, Trident. Do you believe in Trident? and, do you believe in Trident at a cost of such-and-such billions of pounds? involve different considerations. The first is the principle, the second is far more complex, as it introduces the concept of what people think represents a good deal.
The figures about Shrewsbury's various swimming pool options have been provided in good faith as a guide. But the usage figures in particular have to be open to debate. Predicting future usage is, well, predicting the future, and should be taken as a best guess rather than as firm and reliable.
If these figures are to be the basis of decisions they must be pored over and examined to see how well they stand up.
It is clear that here is an issue in which there are strong opinions and there is the potential for a real division. The survey is just part of the consultation and there are going to be many more voices who want to be heard.
These findings are going to help stir up interest. Surveys give an idea of public mood, but it will be great if those who are not the types who bother with surveys can be flushed out to have their say too.
Amid the disagreement there is common ground, in that those wading in all want to create a good future for Shrewsbury.
It is a big issue and the more Shrewsbury folk get involved in the process, the better.