The Case Of The Missing Porta-Potties
June 5, 2010 – 3:02 pm
How often do you hear porta-potties mentioned at city council meetings? Thanks to Keith Brown for the clip.
You may think it’s an amusing topic…unless you were one of the more than 12,000 people in town last weekend for the 2010 Wrangler/McDonald’s Youth Soccer Classic that had to pee.
An 8 AM Sunday morning game began and as that first cup of coffee began to expire many were left shaking their heads as to where to go. Porta-potties had been there last year but none were to be found. Over a three quarter mile trek would have you or your child miss half of the soccer game that the team paid $325 to play.
A worker stated to me at the gate “like everybody, we’ve had to cut back”. “At the expense of someone p****** in their pants?”, I replied. Another worker stated to me that “…we tried to tell them this would never work”.
A Parks & Rec guy told me that Greensboro Youth Soccer would have been the decision maker. I’ll continue until I get a name and voice my displeasure over the stupidity.
This made the city of Greensboro look very bad along with the sponsors associated with the tournament which were Wrangler and McDonald’s. I’m also informing them of the missing porta-potties.
The aerial photo shows the trek needed for relief and according to the scale it’s about a three quarter mile round trip. Waiting lines and clogged pipes added to the frustration. The bottom of the photo shows hundreds of pottyless visitors looking for a place to pee.
33 Responses to “The Case Of The Missing Porta-Potties”
Four ConvergeSouths ago, I got informed at almost the last minute that we needed a porta-potty at a particular location. I learned very quickly how easy it is to rent them. In addition, I attended the Winston-Salem AirShow last summer (disclaimer: we do their website) and was impressed at how many they had an in quite a good location. A good thing: lots of families with little kids and not just a few old-timers. But I guess everyone needs to pee.
But they ARE expensive. I think CS paid almost $125 for ONE for ONE night. The market drives the price, ya think?
By Sue on Jun 5, 2010
That’s still probably cheaper than calling in After Disaster.
By Tony Wilkins on Jun 6, 2010
Forget the soccer fields… I couldn’t find a public toilet downtown last Friday….
By liv on Jun 6, 2010
BTW, hubby, who refs soccer & has done many McD tournaments, says that potties are always near the concession stands. He’s hasn’t done a McD’s for a couple of years; were they moved this time?
Liv, in NYC, they were going to put European pay toilets on strategic streets and it got tangled in a web of “some are not handicapped accessible” so because they couldn’t afford to make all accessible, they put up none.
Greensboro? You think they’d consider bathroom needs? We can’t even get Coliseum Commission resolutions distributed.
By Sue on Jun 6, 2010
This won’t be a problem at the new pool.
By Roger Greene on Jun 7, 2010
You are right it wont. Do you really think 12000 people will show up at a swim meet?
Wade is correct though, someone has to be responsible for the terlets. Either the organizers should be required or the city should charge accordingly.
There is little reason to build enough bathrooms for 12000 people. That is what port-a-johns are for!
OCD much Roger?
By Mick on Jun 8, 2010
“There is little reason to build enough bathrooms for 12000 people. That is what port-a-johns are for!”
How many people do you think we need to plan to accomodate potty-wise, Mick?
A couple dozen, or so?
Or will they just hold it for their return to those gazillion hotel rooms they’ve booked, or those restaurants that are sure to experience Market-like waits for tables when the dozens gather for an event at our over priced and over sold cement pond?
By bubba on Jun 9, 2010
You know Mick I wonder why I bother to stop at a bait shop when you practically jump in the boat. Don’t worry. I’m purely on a catch and release program.
By Roger Greene on Jun 9, 2010
“You know Mick I wonder why I bother to stop at a bait shop when you practically jump in the boat.”
Once a fish, always a fish……
By bubba on Jun 10, 2010
The ignorance concerning the Aquatic Center is so profound I missed your humurous intent. As if on cue, the ignorance is then quite handily proven by Bubba.
By Mick on Jun 11, 2010
Mick, as far as I can tell it’s all chlorinated water under the bridge now.
By Roger Greene on Jun 11, 2010
Yet you never let an opportunity pass.
By Mick on Jun 11, 2010
The only “ignorance” was that which was spoon fed by the cheerleaders to the voters in order to get this disaster of a deal done.
The smoke and mirrors tactics used by “Shut Up And Vote Yes, We Know What’s Best for You” cabal are legendary.We have people like Mick to thank for that little bit of ends-justifies-the-means ethics that permeate the Business As Usual (TM) tag team’s philosophy.
The cement pond deal is the current poster child of the attitude that ensures and perpetuates our local government’s bad reputation. Bad decisions like the cement pond will continue to be made until we learn to start ignoring people like Mick.
By bubba on Jun 11, 2010
Do you just cut and paste all your arguments? Have ANYTHING new in the past 2 years or so?
I have been very open and honest all along about this project. Both of my likes and dislikes. I made plenty of arguments, statements, comments, etc PRIOR to the bond vote. Easy enough to check out. Too much effort?
It is the simple truth that this issue was all over the blogs (including this one), newspapers, tv, etc prior to the vote. Sorry that doesnt fit your conspiracy theory. But trudge along Bubba. Dont let facts stop you from saying what you “feel” is the truth. Never seems to be a problem for you.
Your “business as usual” line is getting to be as stale as when you used to use the word “meme” in every sentence. Ah, the good ol days.
Please dont give me the “watch it buddy” cut and paste either.
The problem with folks like Bubba is that if someone dare disagree with them then that person is “stupid, evil, business as usual, etc, blah”. Folks like Bubba are incapable of simple diasagreement they MUST dislike. Sad.
By Mick on Jun 11, 2010
Roger, see what you started you troublemaker!
Mick, although you and I disagreed on the “build or don’t build” aspect of the GAC I have enjoyed and appreciate your dialogue on the subject.
By Tony Wilkins on Jun 11, 2010
There are legit aspects of the dont build argument and even to a much lesser degree the conspiracy crowd. Actually, given a free hand with the issue….
The infamous natatorium attempt which featured sharing the pool project with The Y, 1 million dollars in private “pledges” and was to go downtown some 10 odd years ago was the best one. Seems to address at least some of the current detractors issues. Better economy, Less expensive, Downtown, No Matt Brown, Private money, property already owned, shared expenses or at least rent from Y, etc. Looks good now dont it!
That is what should have been done. Reaping and sowing, 20/20 hindsight, blah, blah, blah!
This thing will bring folks and their money to town. How much? Much, Much more than most any othe “park” we own!
I hope the rumors are true and you get a shot at The Wade seat. I dont like her as much as I could and I like you even more
Good luck if you need it.
By Mick on Jun 11, 2010
“Much, Much more than most any othe “park” we own!”
I rest my case.
By bubba on Jun 11, 2010
What case Bubba? As usual … you got nuthin. Just your self imposed uninformed opinion.
By Mick on Jun 11, 2010
“What case Bubba? As usual … you got nuthin. Just your self imposed uninformed opinion.”
I rest my case.
By bubba on Jun 11, 2010
Speaking of our glorious new Cement Pond project, does anyone see the parallels in this story?
Key point for us to remember:
“Hold onto your wallets folks. This is only going to get worse.”
By bubba on Jun 11, 2010
“Yet you never let an opportunity pass.” Mick I’m gonna have to conclude that you’re utterly humorless. I’ll stop needling you because it works.
By Roger Greene on Jun 11, 2010
Tony, Though I chided you about the potties initially, I now declare YOU WERE RIGHT; I WAS WRONG to tell you to pick your battles more carefully. I thought this was another fun day like at Jamestown’s fields, not 12,000 pee-ers! But no, the pool won’t attract that many, and many will just pee in the pool anyway; all boys do– don’t deny it. Just don’t eat the Baby Ruth bar when it floats by! Mmmm…peanuts!
By didaskalos on Jun 12, 2010
That really is quite ridiculous. Hope all is well my friend.
Ryan
By ryan Shell on Jun 12, 2010
Bubba,
Why would you compare our future aquatic center with a NASCAR venue when Charlotte actually has a swimming venue? Too much work? Doesnt fir your agenda? Oh yeah, I rest my case too.
Roger,
My sense of humor is more than adequate when it comes to stuff that is actually …. well …. funny.
By Mick on Jun 14, 2010
Thanks for the kind words in your post to me above, Mick.
By Tony Wilkins on Jun 14, 2010
No thanks necessary. Simply put … I’d vote for you because you listen and are unafraid to say, act, vote as you feel is right. Works for me.
By Mick on Jun 14, 2010
“Oh yeah, I rest my case too.”
Based on the material contained in your past contributions, you never had a case.
Stop trying to convince yourself otherwise.
By bubba on Jun 20, 2010
Good response. Well thought out and supported by facts not just your own opinion. Good work Bubba. I guess the only response to that post would be ………
Nana nana boo boo.
By Mick on Jun 21, 2010
BTW…. The 55th annual Eastern Invitational swim meet hosted by GSA at the aging, too long, outdoor, no warm up or warm down pool (just 2 lanes), Lindley Park Pool is sold out and has been for weeks with 620 swimmers + parents, coaches, etc.
I invite all to come check it out and see some of these supposedly phantom, non existant swimmers and their families for yourselves.
Friday PM and all day Sat and Sun. Lackluster pool and bathroom facilities and all! Saturday is the best day. 13-19+ prelims in the AM (8-12). 12U timed finals in the middle (12-4) and 13-19+ finals in the PM (4-8)
Of course the very real and legitimate question for the future will be… can the local swim clubs (GSA, STAR, High Point Swim Club), The GAC/CVM staff, Sports Commission, CVB types (ie Greensboro) get more and more of these events plus other swimming,diving, water polo, etc events. AND can we attract larger state, regional and national events over time and importantly with regularity. There are some definite yes’s in there as well as a few maybe’s. We shall see soon enough. Wish us/them luck ya’ll.
Anybody want to help support the $250,000 score board?
By Mick on Jun 21, 2010
“Anybody want to help support the $250,000 score board?”
Why isn’t it on the ballot this November as a bond issue?
By bubba on Jun 21, 2010
Who writes your jokes…. Mr Spock?
By Mick on Jun 21, 2010
Ever thought about getting your own blog, Mick?
By bubba on Jun 21, 2010
Honestly, I’m not original enough or interesting enough. Nor do I have the inclination. I’d rather be fishing for smallies thigh deep in The New River.
By Mick on Jun 21, 2010