4:00pm Thursday 9th July 2009
By James Dwan
PROPOSALS for major leisure projects across Tendring have been axed.
Tendring Council has announced it will not be going ahead with plans to borrow up to £1.25million to overhaul facilities in Walton, Dovercourt and Harwich.
The council’s former Tendring First administration had wanted to copy Clacton Leisure Centre’s Lifestyles gymnasium project at other facilities across the district, but the new Tory leadership have now ditched the scheme.
Finance boss Peter Halliday said he sees the future of the district’s regeneration in the reinvention of tourism to cover activities such as walking, cycling, water sports and equestrian activities.
He said: “From a finance point of view, the initial funding proposals do not stack up, even with the borrowing provision and the funds identified by our predecessors, there is still a funding gap of between £300,000 and £500,000.”
Mr Halliday said a £200,000 contribution from the Harwich School towards the cost of refurbishing Harwich Sports Centre will not be accepted because the council would have to front the money and then get it back over ten-years.
He added: “We are, however, pursuing a joint-use venture that will provide a disabled use fitness facility in Harwich and Dovercourt that we, as a cabinet, recognise is long overdue.
“There have been no cuts to service provision at all. In fact, I am identifying funds to invest in planning and enforcement, a frontline service that is in need of a facelift.”
The planned overhaul of Frinton and Walton Swimming Pool, which would have included a 30-piece gym, could now be downgraded to only refurbishing changing rooms.
It will be paid for by a £232,000 grant, although the bid will have to be resubmitted to Sport England due to the changes, and it is thought it may be rejected because the grant was intended for swimming pool modernisation rather than refurbishment.
Pierre Oxley, the former counciloor responsible forleisure services, said he was “sad” the schemes would not be going ahead.
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