BELPER'S former Olympic swimmer Ross Davenport says he wants to speak to council bosses as he is unhappy at the design of a new multi-million-pound pool in Derby.
Plans for an "Olympic-sized" swimming pool at the city's Riverlights complex are for eight 50-metre lanes.
But Davenport, left, says that is not big enough for the pool to stage top-level competitions – and has called for a re-think.
He said: "To host events like the Olympic trials, you need to have ten lanes.
"My dream is to see Olympic trials staged in Derby. We're in a great, central location with terrific access routes and it would bring so many top swimmers and their families into the city for eight to nine days, staying in our hotels and boosting the economy.
"It would be such a shame if Derby was to miss out on staging these national events for the sake of not having two more lanes.
"I would welcome the opportunity to talk to someone at the council to share with them my views."
Davenport also said he was worried that construction work for the new pool has been delayed by a year.
He said: "Work was going to start next year for completion in 2015 but it now doesn't look like that's going to happen.
"I'm worried because Derby needs this pool. Existing pools in the city are not up to scratch and it is putting people off swimming.
"I'm not wanting to bash the council. If the delays are because of funding, I appreciate that. If it comes down to building the new pool or keeping 1,000 people in jobs, I'd rather see people keep their jobs.
"But I do think we need to do everything we can to get the new pool built."
Councillor Martin Repton, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said he would be happy to speak to Davenport about his concerns.
Mr Repton said: "This was never going to be a ten-lane pool.
"There isn't the space and having an extra two lanes would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds more in heating and cleaning the pool.
"With eight 50m lanes, people will still be able to train for events such as the Olympics, and the pool will be able to be used for most regional and national events.
"Despite cuts, we're investing tens of millions into new leisure facilities and we're the only council doing that."
