Surely it is entirely unnecessary for a further outdoor swimming pool on the seafront in Brighton. We have both outdoor and indoor swimming facilities at the Lido Brighton and the King Alfred Leisure Centre of Hove.

There is no desperate need, unlike the appeal for skaters where there is a mammoth injustice that our city’s ice skaters continue to wait for their new permanent ice rink.

Surely the proposal for a new additional outdoor swimming pool, at the old Peter Pan playground is a classic contender, as an out of time and place Civic April Fool.

Keep Sussex Skating appeals to city council planners to get serious and get their skates on. Immediate strategic planning is required.

The present need is for a purpose-built stop-gap ice rink, that is less costly to set up and operate, but can provide a vital mix of facilities, in readiness for the ultimate new Royal Ice Rink for Brighton.

The magnificent seasonal Royal Pavilion Ice Rink has set the valid precedence of a top class ‘dummy run’ for recreational skating.

The positive fact is that ice works very well in Brighton. But you can’t play ice hockey at the Brighton Royal Pavilion Ice Rink. For years our ice skating athletes have been denied the chance of boot camp facilities – where skaters can raise the bar of their ice sporting prowess for our city, county and Great Britain.

To build a new ice rink/ arena complex will take more than a decade of lost time for the skaters. The council could fast track and source a more affordable year-round stop-gap ice rink with upgraded facilities.

During November it is amazing how quickly the seasonal Royal Pavilion Ice Rink is raised and ready for business – in a matter of days. This is a stylish civic triumph.

Let’s do it. This will raise jobs, tourism and revenue for our city.

Let’s do it for 2016. Such a bold feat could win the Queen’s Award for Industry, plus wide heartfelt thanks from our skaters in waiting. Keep Sussex skating!

Patricia Ginman Keep Sussex Skating Varndean Road, Brighton