IF the new swimming pool in Simmons Park is to be built on the tennis court site, where are the new courts to be placed? This question worried several people present at the sports meeting on February 29.
The current suggestion is to move the children's play area near to the cricket field hedge (will the expensive rubber matting survive removal?) and build three new tennis courts on a north/south axis on the vacated site.
Being close to the river and trees they will be prone to falling leaves, shadows and green algae and possibly midges attracted to the floodlighting. All these will be little hazards for the players to combat.
But above all, the lovely vista which so impresses everyone when first entering the park, will be marred by yet more man-made clutter and light pollution.
The town council it must be remembered, has paid out good money for a landscaping scheme and it would be wrong to spoil the effect of their plans.
And the Lottery Board may not appreciate the need to move the children's play area and could object to the unnecessary expense involved.
Although the cricket outfield is to be extended to the south, the most convenient place for new tennis courts would be between here and the old swimming pool. Water, drainage and electricity are all nearby and once demolished the old pool area would allow space for tennis courts, loos and even a small kiosk. Albeit an attractive structure, the old pool would be costly to maintain — and for what?
These opinions were held last year and were reinforced by last week's meeting.
Anne Crampton
Oaklands Park
Okehampton