Hi Mark,

I've been following the progression of this consultation from early
days...yet haven't been able to attend the latest user meetings due
to
business trips.

As I won't be able to attend on the 5th of September, I'd like to
pass
on some questions and views about what is taking place at York Hall
re:
the Turkish Baths.

Being a regular user of this facilities I have noticed that they are
used by people from the local community, many from "ethnic
minorities".
I am convinced that the Turkish Baths in York Hall are a great place
for
women of all origins and backgrounds to meet and mix.. Keeping the
single sex rota seems to be the only way (otherwise the capacity has
to
be reduced) maybe it could be more flexible (ie split 1 day between
women only and men only).

It is important that the facilities can attract more members of the
local community and provide better quality facilities than at the
moment
as they are impractical and need to be redesigned for facilitating
maintenance.

Like the rest of the venue, the Turkish and Russian baths have great
architectural qualities and valuable features that should be
preserved
or restored.

A successful development of the place means capitalizing on the
heritage
and community aspects that York Hall is standing for. I urge the
decision makers on this project to put these points at the core of
the
discussion and work, since I also believe that these arguments can
be
the base of a commercial success. So going for plain, comfortable
and
clean (think project's budget) rather than a difficult to maintain
luxurious venue would be the way...

a question: are they thinking of increasing the price for users to
enjoy
the Turkish baths?
that would be a bad idea

I'm sure a lot of the group members would agree and that my voice
would
be echoed in that meeting and that it will help making some
progress.

all the best,

Marion Gillet