I USED to live on Beaumont Rise in Bolton with my wife and daughter. I am interested in knowing if a new pool was ever built replacing the Water Place?

We emigrated to Canada just under four years ago, we now live in Calgary where we have about 56 swimming pools and wading pools, with six outdoor pools which are great in the summer. The city is only 20 miles by 15.

I used to take my daughter to the Water Place a lot and can't believe it was knocked down.

Here the council maintains pools to a point where they look like they have just been built. We use the local pool often, which has a 35 metre six lane pool, a dive pool with adjustable depth floor so it can be used for young children and a steam room. I was amazed to find out it was about 25 years old as it still looks new and is very clean.

We never quite understood why the powers that be see a swimming pool as an expensive facility. They are somewhere for families to go and keep healthy children off the streets. After all, it's a hole in the ground with water in it!

Carl Machin

Calgary

Alberta

Canada