Sir – Many people believe that Temple Cowley Pool and gym will be closed, that it is a ‘done deal’. This is not the case, it is what the council want us to believe. In the same way that they want people to believe that it is in a dire state of disrepair and past the time when it can be economically renovated, which is also untrue.

In fact, in 2008 the Treloar Construction Company was hired by the council to assess the condition of the pool, which had not had any maintenance work done on it for many years. Their report concluded that the building and machinery were in ‘fair condition’ and in ‘midlife’, which means it had probably more than a decade of usage still left. The continuing use of the pool shows that it is safe and only £3m to £6m is needed to modernise it.

The council tells us that more than £16m is needed to build a new pool, of similar dimensions to the present pool, to be sited at Blackbird Leys.

Surely in the present economic climate it would be better to save this money, save Temple Cowley Pool and gym and use the savings to fund some of the frontline services the council want to axe, like youth clubs and libraries that are used by an even greater number of people.

If we can mobilize support, we can force the council to enter into discussions about ways of retaining Temple Cowley pools and gym facilities which are used at present by 250,000 people.

If you believe that the pool is a worthwhile amenity and that it should be kept open then please sign the petition which you will find at http://savetemplecowleypools.webs.com or write to your councillors and tell them what you think.

Hilary Dewey, Marston