THERE is no money in the city council's budget to redevelop the Victoria Leisure Centre, despite promises made to residents.

The funding gap emerged in a financial report to the authority's Executive Board.

The council decided in February to close the centre, but reversed its decision one month later after pressure from local residents. A new facility costing up to £7m was then proposed.

The city council agreed to keep the existing centre, at the edge of Sneinton Market, open until the end of the year, while plans were developed.

But a review of its Medium Term Financial Plan, which details spending for the next three years, states: "No provision is included for a new or improved Victoria Leisure Centre."

Mat Anderson, of the Save Victoria Baths Campaign, said: "People will feel disappointed and let down that the council has said it listened to what the community wanted and worked with local community groups to respond to those demands, but has not come up with the means of making it happen."

The council says it still intends to find the cash and can amend the budget.

Coun David Trimble, portfolio holder for community and culture, said: "The capital is not there yet. Over a period of time we will provide the capital."

Coun Trimble said plans were being developed to regenerate Sneinton Market, including the leisure centre. These will be presented to the Executive Board in April.

He said the existing facility would now stay open beyond the end of the year, but for exactly how long was not yet known.

Liberal Democrat councillor Tony Sutton challenged Coun Trimble to say the Victoria Leisure Centre would stay open to serve the community until a replacement is built.

Coun Trimble said: "There is no decision one way or the other."

It is not yet clear where the cash for the leisure centre will come from. The report to the Executive Board said the economic downturn means the authority will generate less cash than expected from the sales of land and council houses. This will put the council's existing plans at risk.

And it has suffered a further blow with the news that the cost of planned improvements to other leisure centres in the city has risen to £23.5m, creating a shortfall of £1.8m.

charles.walker@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk