You report that the Ferry Sports Centre in Summertown, Oxford, has reopened after a £3.4m refurbishment (Oxford Mail, April 5).

I expect that past pupils of the nearby Cherwell School in Marston Ferry Road are chuffed to bits at this news.

After all, it was many of these pupils and teachers who, after many sponsored events, including swimming at St Edward's School, raised money for a much-needed community swimming pool.

The headmaster at the time, Eric Baldwin, had his dream of this school/community pool.

After much fundraising, his dream came true in 1973, and he was first to test the waters.

Today, we have £3.4m spent on a refurbishment that seems to have been acquired with no effort at all.

Somehow, I think this seems to take the edge off sponsored events to raise money.

I only wish that those people spending this vast amount of money on the sports centre refurbishment remember those who put their hearts and souls into its very beginning. Myself included.

CHRIS BOSWELL

Williamson Way, Rose Hill, Oxford