AS a frequent user of Meadowlands Leisure Pool I am very concerned about  the article in the Times (March 13) reference  the Olympic Legacy Pool  at Kelly College.

It appears that money from the West Devon Borough Council leisure provision swimming allocation could be used to subsidise the  Kelly College  25 metre pool upgrade. At this point Meadowlands would close. 

Do you think this is an appropriate use of council tax money?

I believe it is extremely unlikely that the local community will support council tax payers' money being used to fund a private school facility upgrade, especially when it comes with the demise of Meadowlands. While expensive to run, we know that the pool is now making a profit. This scenario is appalling! In my own personal  beliefs, no community money should go to fund/prop-up a private school or its ageing facilities

I believe the article in the Times to be misleading the community with regards to  the real plans they  are considering for our leisure pool. 

I do not believe it to be the case of 'What the impact of the new 50 metre swimming pool  and refurbished 25 metre pool will have on the "swim provision" of Tavistock' — more a case of how to drum up enough business for the  proposed refurbished 25 metre  Kelly swimming pool, (no provision at this stage is being made for community use of the actual 50 metre pool, only the 25 metre pool).  

Meadowlands is well used, and will continue to be well used (as long as it is still standing as a leisure pool), as it caters for more than just swimmers, as well as the loyal Meadowland users.

There would be no 'marked  impact' on the usage of Meadowlands, especially because of its central location and all the lessons and groups it offers.    

So the only way to drum up the business for the Kelly 25 metre pool, would be to close Meadowlands down. 

This seems to be on the cards, and unless we, as a community, do not stand up and say 'no' now, we are going to lose Meadowlands. Once it is gone it is gone it will never be reinstated in the lives of the current generation.

In addition to leisure use, there are many other regular group users, such as the disabled, the elderly, aqua aerobics, a thriving swimming club, triathlon club, mother and babies groups etc. 

They cater for CHICKS (a charity for inner city kids), for Brownies and Cubs. It has  a fantastic central location and a café

Why does a quick decision need to be made without proper public consultation? Any conflicts of interest need to be declared, and any persons with conflicts of interest should step aside and have no further involvement. 

The decision will certainly be contentious if they close Meadowlands down and use the money that should have  be used to refurbish Meadowlands to refurbish a private school's swimming facilities instead, ie public money.

Maggie McCall

Milton Abbot