Olympian criticises short pool plans (From Harrow Times)

Olympian criticises short pool plans

2:24pm Thursday 17th January 2008

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A FORMER Olympic medalist has criticised Harrow Council's future leisure centre plans.

The council is planning to build a 25-metre pool at its new leisure centre, in Christchurch Avenue, and will ignore the outdoor Olympic sized pool on the same site which has fallen into disrepair.

Olympic medalist Sharron Davies said: "It's a shame, I think it is a step backwards.

"We need more 50-metre pools and it is such a waste when ones that are there are not used."

Ms Davies was speaking yesterday at a ceremony to launch building works at Hillingdon Council's new £25m leisure complex, which will have a 50-metre Olympic-sized pool, as well as a refurbished outdoor lido.

She said London needs more world class pools.

The capital currently has just one compared with 19 in Paris.

She accused Harrow Council of missing an opportunity to help young swimmers in the area.

The council has said its plans, which they say are an improvement on the existing leisure centre and are constrained by the budget available.

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