Cambourne

From Hunts Post 14.11.07  Sports centre delayed until 2009 http://www.huntspost.co.uk/content/hunts/news/story.aspx?brand=HPTOnline&category=News&tBrand=cambs24&tCategory=NewsHPT&itemid=WEED14%20Nov%202007%2015%3A42%3A13%3A027 

VILLAGERS awaiting a multi-million pound sports centre in Cambourne have been dealt a blow after the building schedule was pushed back. At a public meeting in June, Leisure Connection promised to provide a sports centre in Cambourne by September 2008. (See item below)

South Cambridgeshire District Council agreed planning permission for the new facilities and building work was due to start next month, with the long-awaited opening in late 2008. However, it has emerged that the Cambourne Consortium of developers has applied to put the deadline back to March 2009.

The centre will have a health floor with room and gym equipment for about 100 people, a dance, drama and aerobatics suite, solarium, sauna, and steam room. However, the latest date for building work to start is now spring 2008.

David Chare, project director for the Cambourne Consortium, said the delay was "regrettable". He added: "The Leisure Connection scheme to build the sports centre at Cambourne is an exciting project, which will be a fantastic addition to the already first class sporting facilities we have in Cambourne. Any delay in providing those facilities is regrettable but it will be difficult for Leisure Connection to start work on the site before next spring because there are a number of planning conditions to clear, working drawings to be prepared, building regulations to be approved and material and labour to be mobilised.It is anticipated work will start on site next spring and take a year to complete."

SCDC has recommended the change of dates be approved.

The County Council and residents of Cambourne might like to look at what Lewisham found when it investigated major delays in a new leisure centre. In short, LC lacked the resources to do the work to schedule and Lewisham drew the short straw. PB

15.8.07 Sports centre still on  from Huntingdon Post http://www.huntspost.co.uk/ 

"PLANS for a long-awaited sports centre in Cambourne are thought to be secure despite the company behind the project being put up for sale. At a public meeting in June, Leisure Connection promised to provide a sports centre in Cambourne by September 2008.

It has now been revealed that the company, which has its head office at Wyboston Lakes near St Neots, is on the market with a price tag of £50million. Owner Danoptra Holdings has appointed PriceWaterhouseCoopers to handle the sale. 

However, a spokesman for the company told The Hunts Post the sale will not affect the plans for Cambourne sports centre. 

It is thought building work will go ahead as planned in October.

The centre will consist of a health floor with more than 100 stations, a dance, drama and aerobatics suite, solarium, sauna, steam room and a beautician's area. There will also be a six-lane swimming pool and multi-purpose sports court... 

The head office of LC is in Leeds, not Wyboston.   

Which will be completed first, the sale of LC or the new centre?

Given Esporta's recent financial difficulties less than a year after  being bought by a new owner, what chance of LC selling, let alone getting £50 million? Esporta story