No cash for leisure centre
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.
-
Victoria Leisure Centre
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
12 Comments
View all
by Adam, Nottingham
Saturday, September 20 2008, 1:37PM
“Has everyone actually read this bit in the story?
"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."
Is it really surprising that in the short term the council doesn't have 7m quid lying around?”
by cynthia, st anns
Friday, September 19 2008, 7:28PM
“lieds,lieds and more lieds the council as let us down again.”
by ru, nottingham
Friday, September 19 2008, 5:31PM
“why are these people not accountable- they say one thing and do another -they find money for things that us commoners dont want or need - we do need to swim and keep fit -or so the gov say”
by Me, UK
Friday, September 19 2008, 3:20PM
“Get them plackards and kids back out!!! Tescos anyone????”
by Z, Nuthall
Friday, September 19 2008, 3:01PM
“When will people stop mentioning the market square, you are like a dog with a bone!!! For crying out loud that was paid for with external money! Quite why the council waste their time trying to please the miserable, ungrateful public of Nottingham I will never know. You people dont deserve any help. Stop moaning about everything and try being positive for once.”
by Richard, Toton
Friday, September 19 2008, 2:15PM
“Let's flatten it and build another council endorsed monstrosity like the new Contemporary Arts Centre on High Pavement.”
by Trevor, Bulwell
Friday, September 19 2008, 12:55PM
“Executive Board consists of Labour councillors who have already decided Victoria Bath's fate, meaning the whole issue points to another done deal with the council's preferred partner . Something of which appears to be common within our council.”
by Sal, Nottm
Friday, September 19 2008, 10:27AM
“Andrew, is the alternative any better? It seems that whoever gets into power lets greed get in the way of doing their duty and keeping their promises.”
by andrew, nottingham
Friday, September 19 2008, 10:07AM
“this council keeps saying, it can not afford to do things, it promised. yet they can afford to pay top council executives massive wages, find money to redevelop the market square. It comes as no surprise really, to hear they can not afford to revamp Victoria leisure centre, but can afford to pay, to build massive schools,and other projects, that do not benefit residents of the city. Time to vote these greedy good for nothing councillors out of office in next years election. If not, then our city will be run down.”
by Sal, Nottm
Friday, September 19 2008, 9:55AM
“So who is surprised that the council didn't keep their word?”