RECENTLY, during a short break in Poole, I decided to use the Dolphin Swimming Pool as part of my training for the forthcoming Liverpool Triathlon.

I was impressed with the friendliness of the centre staff, cleanliness of the facility and enjoyed my training session.

Later, I discussed my experience of the pool with my mother-in-law and was surprised to find that the recently fitted boom had become a source of contention among the local pool users. I felt the addition of the boom gave the following benefits: a) The main swimming area was 25m in length. This is ideal in training for many competitions as they are either held in 25m pools or an open water swim of a length which is a multiple of 25m.

b) Serious swimmers could proceed unhindered with their exercise as other pool users could occupy the smaller, shallower section.

c) The remaining section is ideal for weaker swimmers wishing to do lengths or for those less confident in deeper water.

d) It offers a wider range of options for schools and clubs using the pool.

My mother-in-law forwarded me a copy of a recent Echo article ‘Hundreds sign up to remove pool’s boom’ by Diana Henderson, which prompted me to write in support of the contentious addition.

STEPHEN BODMAN, Grafton Street, Liverpool