PEOPLE taking part in an open day on the new plans for York Barbican were said to be "split 50/50" over what pool the centre should have.

The main issue being debated since City of York Council's ruling Liberal Democrat group asked for the plans to be revamped is whether the centre should have a county standard pool or a smaller community pool.

Council officers co-ordinating yesterday's consultation open day, at the Barbican, said peoples' verbal preferences were neck and neck. Senior property surveyor John Urwin said: "On a rough straw poll I would say it is a 50/50 split. There has been a steady stream of people through. One of the main questions has been what the differences are, what people are being asked to choose between."

Father-of-three Gary Everett, of Acomb, York, said he would prefer a community pool.

He said: "We need to encourage a sense of community, open up access to as many people as possible."

Eileen Gladwin, of Aldwark, off Goodramgate, favoured the county standard pool.

"People should be separated from training classes, aqua-fit, things like that," she said.

Miss Gladwin also called for the Barbican's "social side" to be retained.

She said: "I would deplore any lack of facilities for eating or socialising. A lot of people like a drink or something to eat after exercising, I hope the facilities for them to do that are not affected."

Kathryn Chandler, a mother of one, from Lawrence Street, backed the new plans.

"With the original plans it seemed the site was being redeveloped and facilities were being lost. With the new plans it seems like the site is being redeveloped and the facilities will stay."

The final results of the consultation will not be known for some weeks, with a closing date of July 25. A further consultation will be held at the Barbican, from 4pm to 8pm, on July 22.

Updated: 10:35 Thursday, July 17, 2003