Laura King is spot on in her comments about King Alfred Leisure Centre (Argus, 8 November).

Councillor Bowden’s project board ought at least to be considering the retention or partial retention of the existing centre, which would still leave plenty of room for development on the surrounding land.

Money raised from this could be used to fund much needed additional leisure facilities elsewhere in the city.

The reasons I’ve heard given for getting rid of the King Alfred range from claims that the pool is too hot to vermin infestations, which hardly sound like cast-iron cases for demolition.

If there really is more to it than that, could the Project Board ensure that the new leisure centre is built alongside the old one, and the existing facilities not closed and redeveloped until the new ones are ready for use?

It would be good to have some reassurance from Councillor Bowden on this point.

Howard Spencer
Park Gate
Somerhill Road
Hove