MR Golding suggested that Barbican users now have only a couple of choices of venues for health and fitness classes in York (Letters, October 30). This is not the case.

A great deal of work has gone in to consulting with users and making them aware of the different options available.

Mr Golding is right in thinking that 50-plus activities have been relocated, but so have bowling green users, sports clubs, swimming lessons and swimming clubs with a number of negotiated deals offered to gym members.

With regards to classes, information sheets have been available at the Barbican for the last six weeks - and still are - detailing the classes available each day at 12 different venues in York.

This does not include yoga, which takes place at an additional 26 venues, many of which may be more convenient for customers.

There are also information sheets available on alternative venues for soft play, badminton, basketball, climbing walls and five-a-side football.

People from all over the city used the Barbican. For some the distance to the replacement venues will be greater, for others less.

In addition to the Barbican, City of York Council has three other popular leisure facilities in Edmund Wilson Swimming Pool, Oaklands Sports Centre and Yearsley Swimming Pool which are widely used by local residents.

Looking to the future, a new pool, gym, and fitness suite is an exciting development for leisure in York.

Charlie Croft,

Assistant director

(lifelong learning

and leisure),

St Leonard's Place,

York.

Updated: 10:04 Friday, November 05, 2004