Hi Gabriel,

Good idea to have a place where we can collect comments.

I've set up a list of ideas in the files section with some of the
ideas received so far.

If anyone wants to add new ideas to it just download it, edit it and
upload the new doc. Lets keep it concise - Saying that you agree
with a past comment doesnt add to the list of ideas we need to raise
at the meeting - best use emails for that.

Here's what's in the file at the moment - Regards Mark

Comments for York Hall 5th September 2005 Meeting

Please add your ideas here

1. Plain, comfortable and clean (think project's budget) rather
than a difficult to maintain luxurious venue would be the way.
Marion Gillet
2. Get the basics right - cleanliness and functionality thats easy
to maintain - to save costs and keep prices down and diversity up.
Mark Mitchell
3. The last thing we need is to 'save' York Hall' in a physical
sense but to lose it a community sense because the marketing people
want to 'position'
the facility differently. There are enough luxury type clubs in
London already. Gabriel Ellenberg







--- In Yorkhall@..., gabriel ellenberg <gabtry@y...>
wrote:
> Really agreed with what you had to say Marion. The last thing we
need is to
> 'save' York Hall' in a physical sense but to lose it a community
sense because the marketing
> people want to 'position' the facility differently. There are
enough luxury type clubs in London
> already. We may need to careful that they don't try to push it
through with the council by having cheaper 'off-peak' prices midday,
midweek only as a stop to being a community facility and
prohibitively expensive charges in the evening or at weekends when
workng people can go.
> Sorry I can't go to the meeting either - not in London. Is there
any kind of web-based comment/feedback page where people can
officially comment on the proposals
> Gabriel
>
> Mark <mark_yorkhall@y...> wrote:
> Hi Marion,
>
> I think you're absolutely right when you say
>
> "So going for plain, comfortable and clean (think project's
budget)
> rather than a difficult to maintain luxurious venue would be the
> way..."
>
> I just dont see how the higher prices needed to support a luxury
> venue would work in Tower Hamlets. Places like Porchester Hall
> priced at over £19 exist in more upmarket areas for those that
have
> the money.
>
> It amazes me that so many people are prepared to pay good money
for
> such dilapidated and poorly maintained facilities. I go to meet
old
> friends and make new ones in a unique atmosphere. I'm sure many
> others do too dispite the poor state of the surroundings. I dont
> think we are looking for "Luxury" just a good quality, clean and
> functional steam bath.
>
> One of the best things about the York Hall today is how diverse
the
> users are - different classes, colours, nationalities,
> religions, professions, political views and ages get together and
> make lasting friendships. That's priceless! I would feel so bad if
> this was lost and replaced by something only accessable to those
> comfortably off.
>
> I'm sure the council wants to encourage this diversity. By
> preserving the simplicity and making comfort and cleanliness the
> priorities rather than "Luxury" and increased prices I'm sure the
> level of diversity will be increased and more locals will feel the
> Steam is for them.
>
> Maybe its too difficult to market "clean and comfy" sucsessfully
so
> the label "Luxury" gets used instead. It just doesnt seem
> appropriate somehow. Luxury seems at odds with the characteristics
> that many of us value in York Hall - simplicity, friendliness,
> community - the simple pleasure of jumping into the cold plunge
and
> standing under the cascading water. I suppose the key thing is
what
> is meant by "Luxury". Maybe thats what we need to ask at the User
> meeting.
>
> I hear that next week there will be a Turkish bath staff meeting
> about how the redevelopment will be managed. It looks as though
> something is finally going to happen. Lets hope the User Meeting
on
> the 5th September is well attended and we get to hear some good
news.
>
> Its a pity you cant make it to the meeting. Can you get someone
else
> to go along in your place?
>
> Best Regards
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> --- In Yorkhall@..., "Mark" <mark_yorkhall@y...>
wrote:
> > 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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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