Water World was designed to make waves. Unfortunately this £7 million complex makes as many in the political arena as it does in the pool.

It was always a controversial project. Commissioned by Ryedale District Council and paid for out of its capital receipts, Water World was seen by some as an expensive mistake. City of York Council made its reservations quite clear when it took responsibility for the pool following local government reorganisation.

Water World's reputation as a white elephant grew when technical problems delayed its opening. For months the building lay empty. The public, keen to try out the flume rides, was frustrated.

When the leisure pool finally did open, it was an instant hit. All the problems seemed to have been washed away in the spray from the water chutes.

So the critics, learning that Water World is now closed three nights a week, must be tempted to mutter 'we told you so'. It is in the wrong place, there are too many competing pools, the costs are too high, it will never work.

However, the latest setback should not be an excuse to sink into another round of regrets and recriminations. Instead those responsible for running the pool should be looking at ways to turn the situation round.

Their present strategy is to only open the complex on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays if there is a group booking. That seems a waste of these state-of-the-art leisure facilities.

More efforts must be made to sell Water World to the public. The vast numbers of tourists who stay in and around York remain largely unaware of this facility. Many of them would be delighted to spend a grey afternoon splashing around with their children at the pool.

And more imagination should be applied to the task of encouraging residents into the pool midweek. Water World was quick to raise its prices during the summer holidays, when demand was at its peak. It should therefore be prepared to cut prices during the quiet times.

Keeping Water World busy is in all our interests. If it is not available throughout the week, decline could set in. Too much money has been invested in this project for that to happen.

Other civic white elephants, including the York Barbican Centre and Harrogate Conference Centre, have been turned into thriving and profitable businesses. If the excellent facilities at Water World were marketed more aggressively, it too could be doing swimmingly every day of the week.

see NEWS 'Half-week opening hits Water World'

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