RESIDENTS are calling for a re-think on the future of swimming in York after council leaders agreed a deal to redevelop the Barbican Centre, but without its pool.

There are now hopes a new group could be formed to campaign for swimming facilities in the city.

Locals worried about leisure facilities aired their views at the meeting, held last night at the Melbourne Centre in Escrick Street.

They were speaking after senior councillors agreed a £7.097 million deal which will see the Barbican Centre sold - but without the community pool that was originally proposed.

Protest group Save Our Barbican organised the meeting at the Melbourne Centre in Esrick Street, which was chaired by Fishgergate ward councillor Mark Hill, to give residents an opportunity to comment.

Now a further meeting is being organised within the next few weeks, with possible hopes of starting a new swimming campaign group.

Danny Golding, from South Bank, was one of about 25 people who attended to the meeting.

He said he had used the Barbican pool for 30 years.

"I think it's important to remember that it's a facility for all of York," he said. "People did come in from all parts of the city, including South Bank, where I live.

"What we do need is city centre sports or leisure facilities. There are lots of people in this city who can't afford to go to (a private gym)."

The council's ruling executive last week agreed to pursue a partnership with the University of York to provide a pool in the east of the city.

They also decided to seek a feasibility study into providing swimming facilities in west York, by opening a new pool at Oaklands School while shutting the nearby Edmund Wilson Pool. Yearsley Pool, off Haxby Road, will also be retained.

But residents last night said travelling to pools in other parts of the city was time-consuming and difficult, and they wanted a leisure facility in central York. Save Our Barbican spokesman Ernie Dickinson said: "Nobody is as interested in swimming pools as Save Our Barbican. I'm all for swimming pools - but not at any price."

City of York Council's leisure boss Keith Orrell said the strategy adopted by city chiefs would "arrest the long term decline of swimming facilities in the city".

Updated: 10:18 Monday, February 13, 2006