We had crimes, road deaths and other issues to deal with as a community and have worked hard to make Toodyay a place in which people can feel safe.

We still have those among us who are happy to engage in criminal activity; doing drugs and committing crime.

But I can put your minds at rest and tell you that Toodyay Police are all over it – we know who those offenders are and are constantly on their case.

My new job is in Police Breath and Drug (booze bus) Operations with the State Traffic Enforcement Group in Midland, a fresh chapter for me to get my teeth into.

However, I still have strong connections to Toodyay and you may still see me lurking around the place from time to time.

Stay safe – always available if needed.

It became obvious that the pool was, and has been for many years, the main priority for the community.

The project provides for a 25m six-lane main pool.

Several issues were raised by the audience, mainly about the size, heating and availability of the pool.

These significant concerns were politely indulged but it felt that a compromised pool was a fait accompli.

Understandably, cost was cited as a primary factor.

Nobody would argue that pools are expensive to build and operate.

However, successive councils have had 40 years to come to terms with this issue.

Another rationale offered up was that pools of the proposed size were “standard for the Wheatbelt”.

As far as I’m aware, Northam has an Olympic-sized pool and Goomalling and Wundowie have pools of 33m length.

Recreational and competitive swimming is buried deep in the Australian psyche.

‘Rim of hell’

If people are to be prised away from the coast, Toodyay needs to provide an antidote to its reputation as the ‘rim of hell’ in summer.

It is that reality that stops many people relocating here.

That said, a pool complex needs to be about more than just ‘beating the heat’.

A 50m eight-lane pool would accommodate people of all ages in their recreational, health and competitive needs.

We wouldn’t dream of providing a half-size football field or half-size tennis or volley ball courts.

As one councillor said to me: “Of course not, because you can’t play on a half-sized field or court.”

True, and you can’t take swimming seriously in a half-sized pool.

‘Hearts and lungs’

What about the needs of young people who have aspirations to become competitive swimmers, or older folk who are committed to giving their hearts and lungs a workout?

It is not acceptable to make such a significant investment in community infrastructure, the centre piece of which is supposed to be a multi-purpose swimming facility, which is second best.

The argument that providing a compromised swimming facility is standard practice for the Wheatbelt or that half a swimming pool is better than no pool, doesn’t swim.

We may not be able to provide facilities for every sport or recreational activity (the ice hockey mob won’t be happy), but those activities that are being accommodated should be provided for equally.

It is a matter of equity.

I believe the current tennis courts are owned by the shire and could be, I believe, sold for development and the money, which could be quite considerable, be used for the recreation centre.

Just some thoughts!

Also, I wonder how much money is going to consultants etc.?

This month’s Toodyay Tennis Club article on Page 31 of the Herald discusses the advantages tennis has for wellbeing and longevity over all other sports.

We were informed that an additional cost to increase the pool to eight lanes could be approximately $400,000.

My suggestion is in order to obtain this amount of money, the shire could advertise for willing sponsors.

The successful contender could then claim naming rights.

The shire council should call for interested parties, whether corporate or private, to put their hand up.

The sum involved is no longer a formidable amount, plus has the benefit of being tax deductible for the successful bidder.

This is the final stage of getting the project under way – please let it be good value for our money.

Reid Carter (builder); Rod Evans (builder); Fitzgerald Plumbing; Alex Hayes (tiler); Ringa Civil (earthmoving); MCS (concrete); Ducky Dave (labourer); Aart Van Logtenstien; Sean Byron (electrical); Mark Evans (electrical); Shire of Toodyay; Ross and Nancy Harvey; Steve Logan (gyprock); Avon Waste; K&R Contractors and the Toodyay Police for putting up with the dust.

Most importantly, we would like to thank the designer Debbie Mickle and architect Drew O’Dwyer.

Stage two will commence this month – 16 new self-contained units will be constructed.

Landscaping and lawn will then be finished which will complete the renovations of this beautiful historic building in the heart of the town.

Thank you to everyone who has come to check out the hotel; the feedback has been amazing and this is what keeps us wanting to reinvest in our beautiful town.

It is quite common and one person in 50 will suffer from this condition.

Mostly, the hair eventually grows back.

At the Toodyay Hair Studio on Monday, February 11 at 10am, you can donate your hair which will be made into wigs in New Zealand for Alopaecia sufferers.

If you like, photos can be taken before and after the clip.

See you there.

My wife Beverley and I were part of Ron and Rita’s wedding party many years ago.

Unfortunately, due to ill health we were unable to attend Ron’s funeral.

It is good to see The Herald is still going strong.

Was there ever an article written about Robert Waters of Spring Gardens Toodyay?