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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 10 October 2008

Cllr Ruth Polling: We can’t afford £46m

Revamp bill ‘would be £46m’

SPARKS flew at a Town Hall meeting last week when objectors to the Sobell Leisure Centre’s demolition clashed with a leading councillor.
Objectors accused Islington Council of being “arrogant” and “irresponsible” for pushing through plans to demolish the sports centre. Lib Dem leisure chief Ruth Polling replied that it would have been “unfair and dishonest” to consult on a refurbishment option when the council had no intention of doing so.
Lib Dem councillor Meral Ece, who chaired the meeting of the council’s scrutiny committee, told objectors they would not have much time to speak as the discussion between panel members had taken too long.
But Barry Hill, a representative of the Sobell users’ group – who want to see the centre refurbished rather than demolished and rebuilt – argued: “This is a multi-million pound project that will affect a lot of people. I think it should take as long as it takes.”
The chairwoman agreed to hear objections from one resident and Gordon Kerr, a director of Squash England, which put forward a plan to refurbish the centre – without a swimming pool – for £12million, as opposed to the £30million cost of demolition and rebuilding.
But Cllr Polling maintained the cost of long-term refurbishment would be £46million. Mr Kerr told the meeting: “I’m seriously concerned that the council has been presented with misleading information regarding the costs. We’ve submitted serious plans which have been fully costed. I’ve seen no specifics. I don’t believe the £46million figure is accurate.”
He had asked the council four times to see the report into the costings drawn up by PMP leisure consultant but had had no success.
Cllr Polling said: “Refurbishment comes in a number of different forms, the most basic is a paint job while the most substantial is all the internal fittings.
“We only considered options that provided for the long-term future of the centre. Refurbishment costs £46million and that’s much more than we can afford.”
She added: “I know a lot of people have come back with options that cost a lot less but they don’t ensure the long-term future. I don’t deny there isn’t a refurbishment option for £12million but I do deny that it would last 30 years.
“We’re not going to reconsult with a refurbishment option because it would be fundamentally unfair and dishonest.”
Resident Gary Heather warned councillors: “I don’t believe you’ve made the case for demolition versus refurbishment. You can make this decision and not listen but you’ll get an awful lot of discontent... It looks like arrogance.”
But Cllr Ece insisted: “This is an exciting new development. Instead of welcoming it, we’ve had people going on and on about the much-loved Sobell Centre. I believe it needs rebuilding. I want this to proceed. It will be fantastic for the borough.”
Cllr Ece used her casting vote to push through the redevelopment plans.

Skaters will have home

AN ICE rink will be included in plans to redevelop Sobell Leisure Centre, it was announced last week.
Lib Dem leisure chief councillor Ruth Polling told a Town Hall overview committee: “We’ve decided we’re a borough that wants an ice rink.” The existing centre has an ice rink.

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