£2million cash boost hope for new Lido plan
LEISURE chiefs could have an extra £2 million to spend on the new Afan Lido.
But, on the other hand, if the council does not go ahead with two controversial proposals there could be £3 million less in the kitty.
Until now the figure for the replacement leisure and sports development has been £13.6 million.
However, the "task and finish" group of councillors, set up to review the scheme after parts of it proved hugely unpopular, heard yesterday that some financial juggling could see that figure rise to just over £15 million.
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And if, as seems likely, the centre is not ready to open until at least March 2014, then there will be another £500,000 because of management cost savings.
Protesters are up in arms about the council's plan to rebuild the Lido not on its original site, but on Hollywood Park.
However, council finance director Derek Davies said the sale of the original site would generate around £2 million towards the replacement complex.
Veteran Sandfields councillor Collin Crowley said: "I'm against selling it."
He described the seafront as the jewel in the authority's crown, adding: "I'm not looking to sell that land off for housing.
"That's £2 million you should take out immediately."
Another controversial proposal involves either closing or transferring Sandfields Library, the Dalton Road and Aberavon community centres and the Seaway Parade Youth Centre to the new Lido.
That would provide the council with £1.2 million towards the total budget.
Mr Crowley was against this too. "I'm totally opposed to closing facilities when there is massive unemployment in the east and west Sandfields wards," he said.
"We should be building them, not knocking them down to finance other projects."
But neither issue will be for the task and finish group to decide, as it only has the power to make recommendations to council.
Before then it will hold a series of meetings with officers and stakeholders, some in public and others behind closed doors.
Yesterday's was the first to be held in public and around half a dozen residents turned up to listen to proceedings.
Chairman Anthony Taylor invited them to write to him with any questions they had.
paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk
01792 514694
Comments
by Neathboy234
Friday, September 07 2012, 10:43AM
“I've got a good idea save the £13 million and go swimming in Swansea. No matter how much money is spent on the seafront it will always be second class. Why, because there is a massive council estate right next to it. Bad planning all round i say”
by poetryblods
Friday, September 07 2012, 10:36AM
“Actually, I've just heard that money (don't know how much) from the £13.6 million was diverted to the Gwyn Hall project and that the cost of demolishing the old Lido was £1.9 million... someone didn't do their sums right. But I'd have more respect for officers if they were up front about everything - after all it is public money.”
by Dai_Chotomy
Friday, September 07 2012, 10:35AM
“"Geriatric Sandfields councillor Collin Crowley said: "I'm against selling it."
He described the seafront as the jewel in the authority's crown, adding: "I'm not looking to sell that land off for housing.
"That's £2 million you should take out immediately."
Presumably he is saying that the budget has just gone down by £2 million because he doesn't want to sell the derelict land. That bloke is truly amazing. Retirement beckons, please, please, please.”
by Neathboy234
Friday, September 07 2012, 10:24AM
“poetryblods i think it's called inflation, over the past few years it's been running very high, probably knocked several million off the budget.”
by poetryblods
Friday, September 07 2012, 10:02AM
“Why can't the local authority explain why the £13.6 million budget figure that they said was available two years ago was enough to rebuild the Lido on the original site then but now it isn't? Either someone miscalculated or there are other issues that have come into play. The original proposal didn't include the redundant bowling alley and NPTCBC categorically stated that the original site was the best choice for the rebuild. So what exactly has changed? Given that public money was used for that original, seemingly now dismissed, proposal surely NPTCBC have a responsibility to explain their actions and their reasoning?
Their apparent refusal to address such straightforward questions in a transparent manner adds fuel to the rumours that the decision is being influenced by developers and not the leisure and health requirements of the borough.”
by Dan01
Thursday, September 06 2012, 5:03PM
“Neathboy234, they probably can't read either, which is why they don't want a library there”
by Neathboy234
Thursday, September 06 2012, 12:13PM
“Dan01 i bet a load of those objecting can't even swim”
by Dan01
Thursday, September 06 2012, 11:59AM
“Whatever they end up building it won't please everybody. For heavens sake no more objections, let them get on with it for our kids sake. We'll have a whole generation growing up without benefit of the Lido.”
by Neathboy234
Thursday, September 06 2012, 10:24AM
“Stork probably from my council tax, and i'm not happy, I'm not happy i say.”
by Stork
Thursday, September 06 2012, 10:06AM
“So where is the rest of the money coming from ?
We have yet to hear how much the private developer is chipping in. They are chipping in, aren't they ?
£5 million from the insurance ? £2 million from selling the existing Lido site, closing down other buildings brings £1.2 million. Total, around £9 million. Deduct that from £15.6 million equals £6 and a bit million to find. From where ?”