I WOULD like to add my voice to the proposals for the Crediton Leisure Centre. I have been a member since day one; before that I used the gym at QE, so my fitness is not a "passing fad" as has been suggested by some detractors to the proposal.

The gym has grown greatly over the years and although it is bigger, it is not ideal. The equipment is spread around four different areas, whilst the air conditioning is only in one.

We are sharing space with the meeting room, with no sound proofing, again not ideal.

The stretching/free weights area is a former storage facility. Apart from using the gym most days, I also attend four or five classes a week.

I am fortunate in that I book as soon as they become available and am rarely disappointed.

Because of the lack of space, some classes that could take another 10 or 15 people are unable to do so.

Having a dedicated dance/aerobic studio with a sprung floor and air conditioning will solve this problem and many of us who use the classes are fully in favour of the upgrade.

True, there will be losers in all of this. However, the only people being displaced will be the daytime badminton players.

QE Academy's sports hall will be available, with its four badminton courts, from early evening and all weekend.

This will come under the "umbrella" of Lords Meadow Leisure Centre and will be included in the Zest membership.

The Tae Kwon Do clubs will have the use of aerobic studios and I am certain that air conditioning and a sprung floor will add to their experience, not detract.

It was suggested at the public meeting that the fitness members go in to the private sector to use their gyms.

Bearing in mind that most of the income comes from fitness and most of the loss comes from the inadequate use of the sports hall, how would it be possible to even keep the leisure centre running without income?

Someone else asked why we needed two dance studios, why was there so much dancing?

Clearly some people are jumping on the "band wagon of Save our Sports Hall" who have no idea of what goes on there!

Please, if you are in favour of the upgrade, make you feelings known.

Yvonne Youles

9 Penton Close

Crediton