Ruth Waddilove wrote querying the wisdom of the proposed £7m tennis complex at Monk's Cross, questioned its viability and was concerned about "the acute shortage of readily available sports facilities for casual users" (Letters, November 12).

As chairman of leisure services, I would like to know where this acute shortage is, because that's why the City of York Council's leisure services exists.

There are ten tennis clubs in York and four tennis leagues; in total there are over 190 clubs, organisations and associations covering sports from American football to weightlifting; there are more than 30 sports facilities (including centres and schools with public access) and ten gyms and fitness clubs.

I welcome the debate as to what further facilities are required. We are currently producing a city-wide leisure plan (out for consultation in December this year) mapping what is provided (by public, private and voluntary sectors) and where, we seek readers' suggestions.

As to the membership cost of the proposed tennis complex, this is a matter for the commercial operator whose research, presumably, indicates that enough customers are willing to pay the fee.

The good news is that it extends choice and adds to the facilities available for York people, meaning there is more for everyone.

By way of cost comparison, some people choose to spend over £300 per year to watch a wider range of television channels.

This year's leisure budget subsidises sport to the tune of £1.28m.

The Labour group remains committed to providing subsidised access to a whole range of sports and will continue to do so.

The "Best Value" exercise is about how we do that most effectively and how that expenditure most closely meets the demands of you, the citizens.

Coun Bob Scrase,

Chairman, Leisure Services,

Kyme Street,

York.

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