Recently there has been a rumour that Temple Cowley library might be up for sale shortly as well as the pools.

Apparently this is not so, but it gave rise to discussion as to what would happen to the library if the pools are closed and it was left isolated in the midst of housing. It is, indeed, very likely that the library footfall will drop.

Apparently a centre for leisure, sports and health activities, swings, a park, part of a visiting package so to speak, such as Bury Knowle library, works best and makes for the best use of facilities. Isolated reading rooms, for instance, do not attract readers and waste funding.

At the moment the proposal for Temple Cowley is that there should be some more housing combined with the pools, a gym, a sauna, small health food café, and community rooms for playgroups, meetings and exercise. It makes for an attractive package with the library. Something similar has been done in Leeds and Bramley as a community project similar to Save Temple Cowley Pool’s suggestions and even makes a profit.

Today’s letters

Cowley has a multi-cultural population with low levels of literacy in parts. Temple Cowley pools and library are in the centre of five primary schools and two secondary schools, at least one of which is still on special measures.

Yes, the council does need to be frugal with our money, but this is getting money for short-term gain. In the long-term we will pay a high price in public health and education. If we want a fairer society, undermining the facilities of some of the most vulnerable does not seem the place to start.

Rosanne Bostock Chalfont Road Oxford

 

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