SENIOR councillors have criticised the latest £132.905m capital programme for not investing enough into the Aquadrome and boroughs leisure facilities.
At a council meeting held on Monday night, councillors approved the latest plan, which will see an additional £73.310m added to the programme.
This will include £40m of expenditure on new property developments and £25m invested for the Manydown North Development.
SEE MORE: Latest capital programme backed as council could be set to spend over £132m
Cllr John Izett, cabinet member for finance and major project introduced the programme, which was approved with 30 votes to six.
He said: “This report outlines a substantial capital investment plan in our borough and the investment of our residents and meeting our climate change and biodiversity objectives.
“I am struck by the general level of support about our capital programme.”
Despite this other senior councillors raised concerns about the commitment to the Aquadrome and leisure facilities including the well-loved ice rink.
The council has previously revealed that plans for the council-owned Aquadrome could include a soft play zone, a climbing wall, spinning studio, extra health suite facilities, a larger competition swimming pool with eight lanes, a learner pool, upgraded leisure waters with a range of fun activities and a larger fitness suite with more stations.
The leader of the Labour group Cllr Andy McCormick was the first to raise his concerns.
He said: “Well there is much to welcome about this programme but not least the commitment to spend on the Aquadrome.
“I think that is a project that has developed emergency, but I would like to see some more commitment to the Camrose and Ice rink as well.”
NewRiver Retail were due to redevelop the leisure park into a £300m designer retail village alongside a host of new facilities, but it pulled out of the scheme in October last year.
In an exclusive briefing with the Gazette last month the council were asked how much latest plans would cost, but it said that a figure is not yet known.
Cllr Gavin James (Liberal Democrats) praised the majority of the capital plans but said he is “less excited about the Aquadrome and the lack of ambition”.
As previously reported Cllr Izett has expressed hope that the council would be able to invest £4m in the Aquadrome over the next few years.
A masterplan is currently being drawn up by multidisciplinary architecture and urban design practice BDP, with leisure specialists FMG looking at the most viable mix of facilities for the Aquadrome and property consultants JLL advising on market viability.
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