SIR — I hope the following may answer at least one of the questions posed by Mr Chedzoy on the costs of Aquasplash (Your Letters October 8).

Starting with a point of agreement, I am pleased that Mr Chedzoy supports the need to subsidise some operations for the overall benefit of the residents.

In the 1970s and 1980s the council was run by a strict financial regime which restricted spending on anything that was not essential; the lack of investment over a long period resulted in West Somerset being rated as an area deficient in sporting opportunities by the Sports Council.

Having been prudent for many years and due to Government restrictions on spending, it was a difficult rut to get out of. Ratepayers had the bread, but no butter and certainly no jam on it.

Following the decline and closure of the Lido, residents had complained of the lack of swimming facilities over many years and a more enlightened council was elected in 1987.

With the opening of Seaward Way (worthy of an historical anecdote in its own right) land became available and with it the opportunity to raise capital, including the £2 million cost of Aquasplash.

Those who may criticise the physical limitations of Aquasplash should remember that it was born at a time of strict financial control and at a time when only 50 per cent of capital receipts could be spent. £2 million was available and no more.

The revenue cost to the community was naturally of concern to the council and all companies tendering for the operating contract were asked to give their estimates.

One fascinating individual suggested that his firm could run it without any cost falling upon the ratepayer; he was soon sent packing. Another firm went bankrupt just before the contracts were to be signed.

At every stage in the process, it was known that there would be a community cost to the community and indeed I quoted my own estimate of £120,000 per annum in council on many occasions before the final decision was made in 1991 or thereabouts.

All members were invited to the decision meeting and were fully informed of the likely operating costs of our new pool. They decided (I believe unanimously, but certainly by a large majority) that the cost was not excessive for the benefits to the community.

The costs in the early years were indeed at about this level but have slowly risen since and the council took steps last year, and are about to do so now, to restrict these costs. Periodical examination such as this is no less than any prudent business would carry out.

Incidentally, the yearly figures for the costs of Aquasplash were always available (and presumably still are) in the Council Estimates booklet held in the Public Library and also by your district councillor, so a little research would have saved Mr Chedzoy asking the question.

Contrary to Mr Chedzoy's assertions, the council has been demonstrably open and honest about the costs (not losses) of Aquasplash which are broadly in line with the costs of providing similar pools across the country.

That Aquasplash provides an excellent swimming venue for all ages is beyond doubt. Some would like it to be larger, but the costs falling upon the ratepayer would then be greater.

Council decisions are always there for criticising, but please let us not continue to detract from the excellent work of the staff who operate the facility day in and day out. I have not heard of a single complaint in the last 18 months and the present management and staff can be proud of their operating achievement.

Organised and special sessions are available for many sectors of the community, ranging from children to old age and the therapeutic benefits of swimming to young and old are well recorded.

Your correspondent is concerned at the cost of £50 a year for every household — if this figure is correct, then Aquasplash represents remarkably good value for less than 50p a week per elector.

Unless you are a cooch potato, do use Aquasplash, do enjoy Aquasplash and only then might you be in a position to criticise the decisions that led to its construction.

Jim Butterworth,

Woodcombe,

Grove Road,

Blue Anchor.