More Comparisons

It's been noted Christians-burg doesn't like being compared to that other, neighboring 'burg.  "We're not Blacksburg" has fallen from the lips of our elected officials.

Well then, let's make comparisons with Roanoke County.  Look at recreation -- specifically pools.

As reported in the Roanoke Times, a Roanoke County multi-generational recreation center is on track for a timely grand opening in January.   To get an overview of all the amenities included at that facility, take a peek here.   The link includes video of construction and notes this is a LEED (or "green") building.  

Roanoke County's Green Ridge features can be easily viewed at the county's website, with these links allowing viewers to drill down for details about specific components such as the KidsZone, Gymnasiums, or the Splash Valley waterpark.   

While the Christians-burg aquatic center October opening date remains tentative, a manager was hired about a year ago.  Roanoke County is only just advertising for a similar position, still ensuring the appropriate staff is on board before opening.  In anticipation of opening within the next six months, membership pre-sales begin next week for Roanoke's facility.   

Can any similar information about membership rates, pre-sales, programs or features be found on Christians-burg's updated website?  Nope.  Town Council only got a glimpse of a business plan for our aquatic center when it was distributed to them at the end of their regular March 3, 2009 meeting.   

The Town Manager had said Council would "take the heat" in setting fees, but this plan has not been discussed further in any of their regular meetings.   So membership fees and hours of operation are still up in the air, while the newly activated Aquatic Advisory Board is beginning to examine options for payment processing systems.    A formal name has not been adopted either, unless it simply continues to be referred to as "Christiansburg Aquatic Center". 

The business plan did consider competition from other regional facilities including VT's War Memorial, RU's Dedmon Center and Wytheville's natatorium -- but didn't include Pulaski's warm weather waterpark, this facility under construction in Roanoke County, or the Salem YMCA.  (The Salem Y just hosted over 1,100 swimmers -- and like Christiansburg's facility when it will host VT events -- had to close to regular members during the special meets.)
 
In summary, here are some comparisons.  But remember, too, that in Christians-burg these similar facilities are housed about a mile apart (and are not currently served by any public transportation connecting them).  Together, these two facilities equate to what will be offered under one roof at Roanoke County's new Green Ridge.