CANOEISTS were divided last night over new plans to upgrade the slalom course at Holme Pierrepont to Olympic training standards.

The proposals, developed by the British Canoe Union, were unveiled to course users yesterday.

Canoeists, rafters and recreational paddlers argued they should have been consulted about the plans earlier.

The upgrade, paid for by Sport England, is believed to be budgeted at £600,000.

But the money has to be spent within this financial year and paddlers say plans for the course were being rushed.

They argued that they have not been given enough consultation time.

Chris Payne, a recreational canoeist, said: "I'm worried that we've got this pot of money and we've got some ideas but what does everybody want? We've just got a straw model here."

He and other canoeists at the consultation meeting argued a model of the proposed changes was needed to see the effects it would have on the water.

Peter Orton, of Valley Canoe Products in Nottingham, said: "It's a nice artist's impression, but we've not got a clue what it will look like until it's modelled. It's a wasted meeting."

Chris Hawkesworth, planning and facilities manager at the British Canoe Union, said that models could not be designed until they had received feedback from the canoeists. He said the meeting last night was the first stage in a consultation to run until the course is built.

Dawn Scott, chairman of the Holme Pierrepont Canoe Club, said she was concerned about how beginners would access the course's back channel safely.

She added: "What worries me is we have created a beginners area, an advanced area and we've lost the intermediate area."

She said the whirlpool area, known as the Magic Roundabout, is used by intermediates but the plans propose to build a wall across it.

Freestyle canoeists argued that changing the depth of the pools could be dangerous and also reduce the number of features available for freestylers on the course.

But slalom canoeists argued the course would be improved and much more flexible if the plans went ahead.

John Handyside, national development coach for the British Canoe Union, said: "People don't like change. It was designed in 1970. It's a very old design, where as we have more modern up-to-date facilities now. It's a bonus.

"We should use them – there's something for everyone," he said.

If the plans are accepted by landowners Notts County Council and Sport England, it is hoped work will start in December, so the course will be ready for the European Championships being held there in March.

A working group representing all canoeists is now expected form to work alongside the British Canoe Union during the consultation period. The next public meeting will be announced when models are available.

delia.monk@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk