Cambourne

Home

Other Areas

Contact LCW

Quest Scores

Complaint Tips

LC Cutbacks

Other Sources

Cambourne

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BANKS hit by the recession have withdrawn from funding a much-delayed sports centre.The multi-million pound leisure facility at Cambourne, including a 20m swimming pool and a large gym, should have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

Fitness fans eagerly awaiting the opening of a state-of-the-art sports centre in Cambourne
will have to wait even longer after the completion date was extended.

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.

From Hunts Post 14.11.07 Sports centre delayed until March 2009

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