THE MULTI-MILLION pound revamp of leisure centres in Warwick and Leamington have hit a delay.
The £14.5 million refurbishment and improvement programmes at Newbold Comyn and St Nicholas Park Leisure Centres – which have not been without critics – will now not be completed until next spring after ‘a number of unforeseen infrastructure problems’ were encountered. All work was previously set to be completed by the end of the year.
There is some good news for swimmers in Warwick as the St Nicholas Park pool and new changing rooms will open two months ahead of schedule at the beginning of September.
In early June the existing gym at St Nicholas Park will be refurbished and new equipment installed ahead of the new 80 station gym opening in spring 2018.
The Newbold Comyn Leisure Centre swimming pool, new 100 station gym and fitness studios will now reopen in early August, with completion of the village changing facilities and sports hall also now set for next spring.
Warwick District Council spokesman Coun Michael Coker said: “We are disappointed by the delays to this project which were beyond our control and would apologise to our customers for the additional inconvenience this will bring. We are working closely with our contractors to find ways to make up for the time that has been lost.
“Our priority was to reopen both swimming pools as quickly as possible and whilst I regret Newbold will be delayed I am pleased that St Nicholas is opening earlier I would ask our customers for their patience which I believe will be rewarded with much improved facilities.”
Labour councillors have been critical of the cost of the refurbishment and the appointment of an outside management firm
to run the new-look centres.
Labour group leader Coun Colin Quinney said: “We are obviously disappointed at this delay to the re-opening of the two leisure centres.
“We had suggested working on one leisure centre at a time and keeping either St Nicks or Newbold Comyn pool open during the refurbishments – as per the original plan – which perhaps would have avoided further disruption for local residents.”
New management firm Everyone Active will be contacting existing leisure centre customers to confirm details of membership and booking arrangements.
