THOUSANDS of York people backed the Evening Press's successful campaign to save the city's swimming pools. They are bound to be suspicious about the council's latest proposal.

The council insists that the sell-off of the Barbican Centre, as a whole or in parts, can only benefit leisure provision. Residents will take some convincing.

Running and upgrading municipal swimming pools is an expensive business. Substantial investment is needed and the council has to find the resources from somewhere. The sale of the Barbican might produce that revenue. It is an avenue worth exploring.

But before the people of York would accept any sale, they would demand certain cast-iron guarantees. Charlie Croft, the acting head of the Leisure Office, said today that any new owners would be obliged to provide public leisure facilities. That is only half a commitment: they must also be compelled to keep prices down.

The city council built the Barbican to provide leisure facilities for all. Dozens of private gyms and health clubs have since sprung up for those who can afford it. For the rest, the Barbican is an affordable and accessible alternative.

Last year the council provoked an outcry when it hiked swimming prices, and attendances fell. A profit-hungry private concern will want to further increase the cost to swimmers and other sports enthusiasts. The one message the council must heed from the Save Our Swim campaign is that the people of York want some of their council tax to be spent on subsidising sports facilities.

There are other concerns about this sale. The Barbican is the only concert hall of any size in the city, and its recent run of sell-out concerts featuring star names shows a real demand exists for this facility. That must not be threatened by a hasty sell-off.

Councillors need to be reminded of one thing. The Barbican was built with, and is subsidised by, York people's money. Their permission should be sought before the council proceeds to sell off this asset.

Updated: 12:31 Monday, July 09, 2001