My grandchildren, along with other young residents of Edlington, Warmsworth, and Balby, face a grueling journey to Denaby for swim training. Due to the inadequate size of the pool proposed at our new Edlington Leisure Centre, they are forced to spend over two hours in transit in addition to their full day at school and intense swim training. Picture their exhaustion - young kids trudging in the cold and dark, wet from swimming, rushing to catch their buses. It's even worse on Saturday mornings.

However, this hardship can be prevented. The forthcoming Edlington Leisure Centre is currently planning to build a 20m pool, which unfortunately, is insufficient for competitive swimming. This inadequate size leaves our dedicated local athletes like Edlington Swimming Club stranded, unable to practice at their home base. Edlington Swimming Club has a rich history in our community, an integral part of our town's story.

If the Centre opts for a 25m pool instead of the proposed 20m one, competitive swimming can return to Edlington, and our young athletes can practice in safety, with ease. A 25m pool is not just a personal desire - it's a community need and it's about ensuring that the proposed Centre is suitable for ALL our citizens.

Let's not greet our future with shortsighted compromises. Instead, let's aim for a facility that serves our entire community, according to the varied needs that make us who we are. Sign this petition to tell the authorities that Edlington deserves a 25m pool in the new Leisure Centre.