Confusion surrounds the future of multi-million pound plans to improve leisure centres across Harborough.
Councillors at Harborough District Council set out three options a year ago and favoured building a new leisure centre in Market Harborough at a cost of around £15 million, as well as revamping the existing facility in Lutterworth.
It was hoped that the ‘ambitious’ plans would be finalised by April 2019 but the council has now announced it is looking for a company to take on contracts to run its existing leisure centres for three years from next spring.
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Lib Dem leader Councillor Phil Knowles, said: “When plans for this multi-million pound leisure centre were first discussed I asked questions about how achievable they were.
“We were told it would be delivered within a couple of years but there now seems to be a delay. How long will that be? One year? Two years?
“We were told it would be a proper 21st century facility but if and when it’s now delivered will it be a watered down version of that?
“There are more questions than answers about all of this.”
But Harborough District Council say its ‘ambitious vision’ still exists and denied that by looking for a leisure management company to run the its leisure centres from March 2019, means that plans to build a new multi-million pounds leisure centre in Market Harborough are off the table.
A spokesman for the council said it is continuing to talk to potential bidders regarding the out-dated leisure centre in Market Harborough and to increase services at the Lutterworth Sports Centre.
Councillor James Hallam, Harborough District Council’s portfolio holder responsible for strategic asset management, said: “We are committed to providing more leisure opportunities and improving our existing leisure centres in a way that is timely and cost-effective for the taxpayer.
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“It is important for our residents that we take the time to explore all options to ensure we get value for money and that the public are able to continue to use and enjoy the services our leisure centres currently have to offer while this major project moves forward.”
Councillor Janette Ackerley, Harborough District Council’s portfolio holder responsible for leisure and sport commissioning and delivery, added: “Through our physical activity strategy, which was developed following feedback from the public, we are continuing to provide new and exciting leisure opportunities across the whole district, as well as maximising links with parishes, sports clubs and schools to provide more venues for physical activity, funding opportunities, and providing major improvements to the council’s leisure facilities.”
