Still no start date for leisure centre (From News Shopper)

Still no start date for leisure centre

10:19am Wednesday 25th May 2005

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THE COUNCIL has admitted it cannot impose fines against a firm, further delaying a long-awaited leisure centre.

At a full council meeting last week, Councillor Mark Morris demanded to know why a start date for the Downham Lifestyles Project leisure centre has still not been set despite already being more than two years late.

The project, which includes a swimming pool and a library, was announced in the borough's Labour Party manifesto which claimed it would be up and running by 2004.

But unless negotiations are wrapped up in the next few days, it is unlikely the project will be completed before 2007 almost three years late.

Cllr Morris asked the question two months after contractors Leisure Connection (LC) missed a target date for finally signing contracts on March 11.

Lewisham mayor Councillor Steve Bullock admitted the delays were caused by Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contractors LC making slow progress.

He said LC has over-reached itself by bidding for another PFI project, instead of focusing on its commitments at Downham.

Cllr Bullock also said no financial penalties can be imposed against LC while negotiations are continuing.

The Downham Lifestyles Project, to be managed by LC for 30 years at a cost to the council of £70m, also includes a fitness studio, a gymnasium, a community room, a creche, a music and drama studio and two GP surgeries.

Councillor Morris said: "Something has gone wrong and it's bitterly disappointing.

"While this drags on, thousands of people are missing out on these facilities."

He says the old pool, built in 1937, was very popular before it closed in 1995 and 101,000 people passed through its turnstiles in 1994.

Cllr Morris says the leisure facilities are vital for residents of all ages.

He said: "I am not going to give up. Lessons have to learned and somebody needs to be held responsible.

A joint statement from Leisure Connection and Lewisham Council said all parties were doing "everything possible" to bring the negotiations to a conclusion.

The council is attempting to finalise the deal as soon as possible.

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