OPINION is divided over ambitious plans to build a £7 million sports club complex at Clifton Moor, York.

The Evening Press revealed recently that the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) had teamed up with Harrison Developments, of Malton, to come up with the scheme for land owned by Harrison behind the Ikon & Diva nightclub.

It could prove a lifeline to hundreds of sportsmen and women who were set to lose out following the recent closure of the Civil Service Sports Club, in Boroughbridge Road, York.

A major house builder has signed an option agreement which gives it first refusal on buying the existing club site, which club members believe is worth up to £14 million.

Yesterday, the public were given a chance to air their views about the plans and fill in a questionnaire at a meeting organised by the CSSC.

Ben Turner, chairman of the Ebor archery club, which was based at the Civil Service club for 36 years, said: "I'm disgusted about the way this has been handled.

"Not enough was done to save the original club site. I can't see how they will make the new site pay."

Another club member told the meeting that the Boroughbridge Road site could now become a base for travellers. "I just don't see any logic in moving from this site to Clifton Moor," he said.

But CSSC estate manager Ray Haskell said they had no choice but to close the club site because of financial problems.

He told the meeting: "We've basically got two options - we either remain in York or we don't."

"We very much want to continue providing sport for our members in York."

He said if the planning application was turned down, the CSSC would be forced to pull out of the city.

"I believe a lot of people would miss out if we did," he said.

The proposed 11-acre complex would include 12 all-weather five-a-side football pitches and two full-size football pitches, a swimming pool and gymnasium, four tennis courts, squash courts and a cricket square.

The application will be submitted to City of York Council next week.

Sports club secretary Tony Tate said: "People should throw their support behind it. It's the only way forward."

Updated: 10:53 Wednesday, April 30, 2003