WHEN we first saw the plans for the proposed new leisure centre for Okehampton we were very excited by the prospect of having such a new and prestigious asset in the town.

Like it or not, Okehampton and the rest of the world is changing and the people of the town deserve modern up-to-date facilities.

We, like many others, were disappointed when the initial lottery bid failed but we couldn't help but gain the impression that many other residents were relieved that the face of Simmons Park would remain unscathed for the time being.

When we first saw Jerry Stephens' letter 'They are falling in line to meet lottery criteria' (Okehampton Times February 3) we found ourselves, to our surprise, agreeing with the sentiment of his letter.

Whilst we personally don't value the pavilion or the tennis courts we can appreciate that others may miss them if they were to go and we do agree that the park is a valuable and beautiful asset.

Maybe the park isn't the best place to build a new leisure centre. Maybe a third supermarket and the possible addition of a new link road will restructure the flow of traffic and provide us with other ideas about where to put a new leisure centre.

The point of this letter and what prompted us to write it was Ted Cann's letter in last week's Okehampton Times in which he calls for some public discussion on this very important issue.

We wholeheartedly agree with this and feel that all of us have a valuable and valid contribution to the argument. Surely everybody should get a chance to air their views, planners and resident alike.

Perhaps OCRA or Okehampton 2000 could organise such a discussion; Whatever happens we must not let anybody accuse the town of complacency or lack of interest in such an exciting project.

Jon and Judith Magowan

79 Station Road

Okehampton

HOW good to read in this paper the two letters from Ted Cann and Jerry Stephens regarding the proposals for Simmons Park. They have made two reasonable and basic observations. First, who really wants such a grandiose scheme, or even a lesser one? Second, is this the greatest priority for the town or district?

Public involvement is fundamental but will the silent majority respond to any more meetings? Another 'improvement' will bring a long-term burden of upkeep that all taxpayers inherit. Many will not receive a benefit due to miserly increases in income and the relatively high cost of sporting activities. A 75p pension increase doesn't go too far these days.

Every addition to the town's facilities will draw funds away from existing priorities that already receive little enough funding each year.

Last year, the town lost day care facilities that Age Concern can never reproduce whilst operating in rented accommodation. The local authority contributed 25 per cent of the cost this year, with a future commitment of 33 per cent leaving at least a £7,000 deficit. That is a real problem for a service that faces increasing demand and ever-higher costs for its free transport scheme.

Older people might dream of a dedicated day centre in Okehampton with modern facilities, young people assure me that we really needed that KFC, as well as an accessible state-of-the-art cyber café, a new cinema and a half-pipe in the park (for skate boarders). There's also the recent call for just one more link road — that's all we need.

Okehampton might want 'more' but who will end up paying for it?

The Rev Barrie Duke

Chief officer

Age Concern

Okehampton and Torridge