I AM writing about the King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove and the manner in which the older generation is treated with regard to indoor bowls.

The gym contains a good selection of exercise cycles and treadmills and the dance area used for aerobics and line dancing provides plenty of space for general exercise.

The swimming pool area has been repainted and is lovely and warm. Outside, on the seafront, pillars have been painted white and give a favourable impression to people walking by.

But one part of the leisure complex has been completely ignored – indoor bowls. I have lost count of the number of times I have complained about the cleanliness of the rear entrance, used by the disabled and people unable to use the steep stairs.

The slope down to the bowls area is very dirty and has not had a coat of paint for at least six years.

What sort of impression does this make to visiting clubs? No wonder some of them no longer want to come to Brighton.

On walking into the bowls area the cold air strikes you and you see the bowlers wearing jumpers, fleece jackets, quilted body warmers and sometimes gloves, just to keep warm enough to play.

We were advised there would be no heating or hot water (even in the toilets) until at least November 20.

Surely the council should hire three industrial blowers to provide some heat for the players who, after all, have had to pay the council to play.

Rinks two and three cannot be used because buckets have been placed to catch water leaking through the roof.

When is the roof going to be repaired? Is the council waiting for us all to “kick the bucket”?

This is the only indoor bowls club in the area run by the city council and it is a disgrace.

Just because the members are in their 60s, 70s and 80s they should still be able to have the same comfortable facilities that other users enjoy.

After all, this is the generation who have paid rates and council tax to the council for many years.

Two years ago plans were passed for a new indoor bowls facility at the Engineerium site in Hove. Perhaps the council could advise when (or more likely if) this is ever going to materialise?

J Gledhill, Bevendean Crescent, Brighton