ALAN Jones, executive member for leisure and heritage, says that there is a big need for a prime leisure facility in the centre of York (December 27).

If this is the view of City Of York Council why, under the draft plan for the development of the "teardrop site", are they endangering one of the finest and oldest indoor sports facilities in Yorkshire? I refer to The York Railway Institute.

Under this draft plan, the line of the development area runs between the institute gymnasium and the main Queen Street building - giving the impression that the gymnasium will be demolished as part of the scheme.

If this is true, a sports organisation which has been in existence for more than 100 years, and which provides a vast range of affordable sport and leisure facilities for 3,000 members, will be placed in danger.

With the imminent demise of the Civil Service Sports Club, can we afford to lose another major sports organisation in the centre of York?

Tony Cox,

Heath Close,

Holgate, York.

Updated: 11:16 Thursday, January 02, 2003