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The Humboldt Valley ping pong table


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#1 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 02:13 PM

Pricey ping pong table paddles taxpayers
 
Questions raised about $6,071.99 plus expenditure

While safety upgrades to the corner of Douglas Street and Humboldt are very welcome, it's questionable whether a $6,071.99 ping pong table in the mini plaza will be a hit with City of Victoria taxpayers.
 
The top-of-the-line Cornilleau table is made in France of "high-strength materials, and displays robustness against shocks, weather, and vandalism." According to www.pingpongdepot.com, it offers the best playing quality on the market in this category and sells for a princely $6,071.99.
 
"Most taxpayers think any City financial contribution would be better spent fixing resurfacing roads or funding the police department," says Stan Bartlett, chair of Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria.
 
"For others, it's symptomatic of a council that has lost its way and when money is no object this is what you get."
 
The most expensive ping pong table on Vancouver Island raises nothing but questions about the actual total cost and the value of this feature, says Bartlett.
 
"How is ping pong and a featherweight, 0.095 ounce ball compatible and practical with what is often a windy Humboldt Valley?"
 
According to Weather Spark  the average annual wind speed is abut 10 km-p-h in Victoria further impacted by the effects of a wind tunnel in the Humboldt Valley.
 
Then there's the wet season - when there's some rain - which lasts more than six months, according to Weather Spark.
 
"Does the $6,071.99 cost include taxes, shipping and installation? Were the immediate neighbourhood residents consulted about the ping pong table? How does Bart's Pub and patrons of the adjacent outdoor patio feel about the table? Will flying ping pong balls conflict with cyclists and pedestrians in the area? Should the City be in the business of handing out free paddles and balls?"
 
"One of the last goofy uses of public money - partly funded by the City of Victoria taxpayer - was a bicycle contraption on Cook Street that allows you to charge your phone.
 
When is the last time you saw anyone actually use it?"

 



#2 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 02:14 PM

According to Weather Spark  the average annual wind speed is about 10 km-p-h in Victoria further impacted by the effects of a wind tunnel in the Humboldt Valley.
 
 
 
 
that's a persistent wind tunnel.  does it get better or worse with climate change?


#3 Rob Randall

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 02:30 PM

I'm beginning to think these mysterious potholes that perpetually evade repair are as mythical as the Humboldt Valley unicorn.


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#4 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 02:32 PM

I'm beginning to think these mysterious potholes that perpetually evade repair are as mythical as the Humboldt Valley unicorn.

 

 i agree.



#5 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 02:33 PM

I'm beginning to think these mysterious potholes that perpetually evade repair are as mythical as the Humboldt Valley unicorn.

 

also with all that wind wouldn't the unicorn migrate to maybe fernwood?


Edited by Victoria Watcher, 15 August 2019 - 02:33 PM.


#6 Nparker

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 03:09 PM

I'm beginning to think these mysterious potholes that perpetually evade repair are as mythical as the Humboldt Valley unicorn.

Then you clearly haven't visited Oaklands recently.


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#7 m3m

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 03:24 PM

This will be a hit for those staying at the hotels in the area. 



#8 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 03:26 PM

This will be a hit for those staying at the hotels in the area. 

 

doesn't the pub/restaurant under grade at douglas and view already have outdoor ping pong tables?


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#9 m3m

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 03:30 PM

You have to pay for them.  These ones are free.  Imagine staying at the Hilton and sending your kids out to play ping pong in the street while mom and dad enjoy a drink or two on the patio at Bart's. 


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#10 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 03:59 PM

all good I suppose. but if the hilton was smart they’d have a $35/hr equivalent.

#11 Mike K.

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 04:50 PM

You have to pay for them. These ones are free. Imagine staying at the Hilton and sending your kids out to play ping pong in the street while mom and dad enjoy a drink or two on the patio at Bart's.


Amazing, lol.

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#12 Mike K.

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 04:51 PM

VV’s Facebook post has elicited nearly 400 comments in two hours on this topic.

Yikes.

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#13 Nparker

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 05:04 PM

VV’s Facebook post has elicited nearly 400 comments in two hours on this topic....

Consensus: yay or nay?



#14 Mike K.

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 06:28 PM

Hmmm...

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#15 AllseeingEye

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 06:33 PM

How about kicking off the inaugural 2019 VV Forum Ping Pong Open....anyone? Anyone?? Bueller?! Anyone....?!? 

 

Maybe we could get a rousing game of table tennis doubles with any two of us vs Lisa and Ben, where we can grill her on the bike lanes and him on - well pretty much any topic...while simultaneously administering a good old fashioned beat down in the process. Maybe while we're at it arrange for the Snowbirds to perform a low flypast to annoy and distract him....


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#16 theboss

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 07:59 PM

As always, the COV is answering the demand for something that no one has asked for.

If you want ping-pong and pool, go to Peacocks.
If you want darts and pool, go to the Strath games room.

The private market has options for people if they want to play these kinds of games in the downtown core. Not to mention they are indoors or in contained environments.

There was a CTV VI article earlier today talking about how the city is going to give out the equipment to local schools, hotels, homes and businesses. How much is that going to cost and what is the qualification for who gets the equipment?

I’m sure everyone is tingling at the excitement of Gentle Ben going door to door to give them their own personally signed ping pong paddle!
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#17 Love the rock

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 09:01 PM

Anyone want to guess how long before it’s tagged or destroyed .
Maybe those poor misunderstood criminals can turn their lives around playing ping pong .

#18 Danma

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 09:13 PM

Then you clearly haven't visited Oaklands recently.


There’s a section of Ross road by Gonzales Bay where all the potholes are hiding. It’s brutal!

#19 Danma

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Posted 15 August 2019 - 09:15 PM

Consensus: yay or nay?


It’s Facebook, of course it’s nay.
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#20 Mike K.

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Posted 16 August 2019 - 05:02 AM

It’s all about making a statement. In this case it’s taking a portion of a street away from cars.
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