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26
Nov 2021
Last Updated: 25/11/2021
Conservative councillor says Ripon leisure scheme is poor use of public money
With Ripon's new six-lane swimming pool due to open on 8 December, a question mark remains over the final cost for Harrogate Borough Council's leisure scheme as more work is done to investigate ground stability at the leisure centre site.
Ripon Leisure Centre as it adjoins its new swimming pool.
The sole Conservative councillor who spoke out against the choice of Dallamires Lane for Ripon's new pool, says the project is a poor use of public money.
Originally scheduled to open in May, the scheme, which includes refurbishment of the adjoining leisure centre, is already more than £3 million over budget at £13.5 million with the costs set to rise even further.
Cllr Nigel Simms, who represents the Kirkby Malzeard and Masham Ward, told the Stray Ferret:
"Nothing has happened to change my mind, the geology of the site with its sinkhole issues, means it's the wrong place.
"I'm all in favour of new leisure facilities for Ripon, but a more stable area should have been selected."
At the June 2019 planning meeting where the application for the pool and leisure centre refurbishment was approved, Cllr Simms, said:
"I do not believe that you can build this thing and that in 50 years time it will still be there for the use of the people of Ripon.
“I don’t think it’s an economic use of public funds.”
Earlier this month Harrogate Borough Council's cabinet approved further investigation of the unstable ground conditions under the 26-year-old leisure centre building, ahead of remedial works in the New Year.
In the meantime, the long-awaited new pool for Ripon is scheduled to open on 8 December.
The Stray Ferret asked HBC about the final costs for the leisure centre work and a council spokesperson, said:
"As outlined during the cabinet meeting, the costs for the investigation works are not as yet known. Following the investigation works, there will then be assessment of the proposed remediation strategies, together with an assessment of the estimated cost.
"The council would not be able to disclose details of costs until the agreed remedial works are contracted as we view that providing this information may prejudice future commercial negotiations with supply partners."
Two Freedom of Information (FOI) requests made to HBC by the Stray Ferret about the cost of ground remediation work at the site, which caused the initial six-month delay to the swimming pool opening, received similar responses.
However, in September, the council provided details of additional costs incurred for the project in response to an FOI request submitted by Ripon resident and chartered civil engineer Stanley Mackintosh.
In its FOI response to him, HBC said that:
- Money already paid for construction and associated works stood at £12,936,235.55.
- A further £619,427.06, had been allocated for payment.
This running tally of £13,555,662 in September compares with the original 17-month contract signed with construction company and principal contractor Willmott Dixon for £10.2 million.
Mr Mackintosh told the Stray Ferret:
“I have always been in favour of a new swimming pool and leisure centre for Ripon, but along with others, have argued over many years that the Camp Close site, with its known history of ground instability, was not the right place for it.”
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