I WRITE with regard to the replacement of the leisure centre and the loss of the pool facilities highlighted in your special feature on 20 January.

In my opinion, three fundamental questions need to be answered, as follows.

Firstly, the planned new leisure centre is smaller and offers no more facilities than the existing one, so why is it being built?

I have been through the planning application and the need is not identified.

Is it just a Test Valley Borough Council vanity project that we are all to fund through our taxes or higher use charges?

Secondly, if needed, why is it remaining in the centre of town?

The footprint of the building is relatively small and could easily be accommodated in the Charlton Park along with the outdoor facilities that the operator will also be responsible for.

Perhaps the site of the pavilion or Sports Academy (the old Depot) could be redeveloped or even a new site near the existing car park used.

Relocation would then allow TVBC to sell for development the existing site, which also includes the old magistrates court that they don’t know what to do with, and probably realise a significant financial premium.

Finally, assuming there is a need and relocation isn’t viable, simply rotating the current design through 90 degrees and building it on the sports hall and gym building footprint would allow the pool to remain open throughout the development as is currently planned for the gym.

Not only is swimming a leisure activity, learning to swim should be a fundamental right of all children.

The gym would be much easier to house in temporary accommodation.

A facility is available on East Portway Industrial estate now.

All that is needed is to switch on the lights and heating, partition some changing rooms, lay a suitable flooring (it doesn’t need to be expensive as it will only be used for two years) and move the equipment in.

Come on TVBC, you can really do much better than this existing proposal!

S Smith, Cypress Grove, Andover