I HAVE read with interest the letter from Maggie McCall (Times, March 27). I totally agree with everything that she says.

Meadowlands is a great asset for Tavistock and should certainly not be closed in order to benefit a private school's ambitions.

This is certainly not a proper use of our council tax money and it is wrong for it to be decided without proper public consultation and members of the council with a vested interest in Kelly should declare this and not take part in the vote.

Meadowlands is in the centre of town and is very popular with many people. The swim school has nearly 400 children attending and a great many of them have already tried Kelly and have turned to Meadowlands in preference. The Aquafit classes have many regulars.

The depth of the pool at Meadowlands is the same all over which means that these classes can accommodate up to 50 people and they would not be able to continue at Kelly.

The wet and wild sessions are hugely popular and many people travel out from Plymouth in order to have fun in them.

When these people make the journey for theses sessions, they also visit the town which benefits the local traders.

There are a great many other activities: adult classes, disability sessions and adult and child classes, to mention just a few.

Sport England think that what is going on at Kelly is a community project. I think they have been misled — what is planned is taking something special from the community.

I feel that it would be a great mistake to close Meadowlands down in favour of Kelly.

Peter Gallie

Chillaton

SITTING as it does in a central position within Tavistock with good parking and transport links the Meadowlands Pool should be viewed as a magnet for the wider business interests.

While the building itself could do with additional financial support it offers excellent access for all members of the community and not just those residing in Tavistock.

People using the pool also shop; have a coffee; lunch; see a film at the Wharf; pop into the bank or post office.

Does the council really want to jeopardise the business interests of local shops and businesses further through the financial support of Kelly College (Times March 13) for I fear our community pool will surely be sacrificed in favour of the Kelly 25 metre pool.

We must wake up to the fact that Meadowlands works as a leisure facility on many fronts — access, transport, safety and commercial.

Do council members really want to work against these key interests?

Do we not have a say in how sports and leisure facilities are supported and paid for via our council charge in Tavistock?

Wouldn't such a strategy run contrary to Tavistock's Business Improvement District Plan (BID) ie to encourage people to the BID Area and promote repeat visits?

Like many others, I use Meadowlands two to three times a week in summer and winter, in the day or in the evenings, but more than that I use the town and all that it has to offer in close proximity.

I can do this safely on foot or in my car with good transport links and parking facilities.

I fear if Kelly 25 metre pool were to become the 'community pool',Tavistock town centre would merely become a corridor through which people would travel and this would not serve the commercial interest of the town or its residents.

As a sports and leisure facility for individuals, families and clubs the Meadowlands Pool works on many levels. Do not throw that away or the wider business interest it generates.

Sue Behenna

Crapstone