AS A proud resident of Darwen I am continually dismayed to see all the negativity and griping and moaning about the current investment in the town week in, week out in the Letters and editorial pages of the Lancashire Telegraph.

The current leisure centre fury' (LT, November 15) is a prime example. I used to use the gym and pool facilities at Darwen Leisure Centre, but the grotty, cold changing rooms, shoddy locker system, far too small and less than fragrant gym and the crowded swimming pool soon put me off.

I now spend my leisure membership money in Manchester, and many people I know who live and work in Darwen attend the JJB or Regency in Blackburn.

The current plans for the new leisure centre would attract me and my money back into Darwen. Most plush gyms have pools and gyms but not sports halls for a reason.

The split site would enable access to premium facilities for most leisure users.

It is my opinion that yet again the vocal minority are trying to spoil things for the rest of the residents of Darwen and I don't think it is a coincidence that the picture of the public meeting showed rather a lot of older faces.

I fully expect to receive vitriol about this letter similar to the venom aimed at Coun Dave Hollings after defending the Academy last week.

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