Cambourne

After repeated delays (see below) while LC/Harpers awaited funding, a charity is now set to build Cambourne’s new sports centre.

PLANS for a sports centre and swimming pool in Cambourne are back on track – with construction set to begin next year. The facility, in Back Lane, was due to be built by the time 2,000 homes in the village were occupied, which happened in 2006, but the project has been beleaguered by wrangles over financing and recession-hit banks pulled the plug earlier this year.

The News can reveal Cambourne’s developers have found a new operator to run the centre, the Active Nation charity, and now estimate the total cost of the project to be £3 million. Although the deal is not signed yet, while due diligence checks are carried out, the end of 2011 has been set as a target for the building to open its doors.

Neville Stebbing, project director for the Cambourne Consortium, described the move as “very positive”. He said: “It’s the first sign of progress following a very difficult period of discussion and negotiation. We felt the disappointment at the delays as much as residents and we are keen to provide this facility, but we are only prepared to provide it on a basis which is future-proof.”

The first phase of construction is expected to provide a four-court sports hall and a fully-equipped gym.A swimming pool would potentially follow in a second stage but Mr Stebbing said this would be unlikely to be financially viable until the village grows more.

Active Nation wants to own the freehold of the sports centre so it can borrow against the value, but Cambourne Parish Council has agreed it would take on ownership if it helps to move the project forward.

Parish clerk John Vickery said: “We welcome this positive step forward and the involvement of Active Nation. Hopefully it will lead to success where in the past there has been failure.”

Cllr David Morgan, who represents Cambourne on South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We’re desperate to get the sports centre built and operational. We would have liked to see it built in one phase but I suppose the current economic climate has prevented that from happening.”

The district council’s planning committee is expected to approve a December 2011 deadline when it meets on Wednesday.

11.2.09 Cambridge News Online http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=389544 Reproduced in full

Banks pull the plug on village's leisure centre by Chris Havergal

Now it might open in 2010 compared with September 2008 "promised" by LC. PB

BANKS hit by the recession have withdrawn from funding a much-delayed sports centre.The multi-million pound leisure facility at Cambourne, including a 20m swimming pool and a large gym, should have been opened by now, but has been held up by wrangling over finance. Now the banks have decided they cannot back the project as they tighten their belts.

Developers say they are "hopeful" the centre, on Back Lane, will be built, but concede they may not meet the latest deadline for it to open in December. David Chare, the Cambourne Consortium project director, said: "This is not a reflection on Cambourne, the consortium of developers - Taylor Wimpey and Bovis Homes - or the proposed managers of the sports centre, Leisure Connection, but is merely a symptom of the current difficult economic climate."

The consortium has now started working to secure alternative funding from public and private sources. The entire cost of the project is expected to be £4.4 million. John Vickery, clerk to Cambourne Parish Council, said: "There is disappointment about what is happening but we know we need to work together to resolve it. When you hear what's going on around the country you know the banks are going to be harder than they were previously. We are still positive and I know all parties are putting in a lot of time and effort to get the project back on track."

This is the latest hold-up to hit the building of the sports centre, which will also include a dance studio, sauna and café.
Developers originally hoped to open the facility last summer but experienced difficulties with planning issues and who would operate it. Leisure Connection stepped in to run the centre after rival chain Xpect Leisure pulled out in 2006, citing "onerous prescriptive requirements" by South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Mr Chare added: "Given the number of avenues we are exploring I remain hopeful that we will be able to progress the development of superb additional sporting facilities for Cambourne. Everyone is still working to the current deadline of December 2009 for the opening of Cambourne's sports centre but, being realistic, that may need to be moved back into 2010."

Cambourne Sports Centre Delayed Hunts Post 4.11.08 Reproduced in full.

Now it might open in December 2009 compared with original September 2008 - PB

It had been hoped that the multi-million pound sports centre for Back Lane, Cambourne, would be completed in March 2009.

However, the developers are now seeking permission from South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) to move the date to December 2009.

At a special meeting of Cambourne Parish Council on Tuesday, October 21, parish councillors "reluctantly agreed" to the new completion date
"to avoid the possibility of losing the sports centre".

John Vickery, clerk to Cambourne Parish Council, said: "It was slightly disappointing but the change of date was essential
to allow the centre to go ahead. It is positive news that in this economic climate the money is still available
and I'm sure the developers will endeavour to get the centre built as soon as possible."

The sports centre will include a swimming pool, sports hall, 100-station gym, dance studio, cafe
and health suite with a solarium, steam room and sauna.

David Chare, project director for Cambourne Consortium of Developers, said the March 2009 date had become "unachievable".

Mr Chare said: "There is now concern by the banks responsible for financing the project through
Leisure Connection that SCDC will take action when the sports centre fails to open in March.
This application to SCDC is to extend the required completion date to December 2009,
an achievable and realistic date to avoid any action being taken by the council."

He added: "We very much hope the district council will grant this application which will ensure
the contracts can be executed and work can then start on the site within three weeks.
Our aim remains as it has always been - to provide the people of Cambourne with a first class leisure facility at the earliest possible opportunity."

The decision is due to be discussed by SCDC's planning committee on Wednesday, November 5.