Lib Dems committed to better leisure facilities for Lambeth

2.32.30pm GMT Mon 13th Mar 2006

In May 2002 the Lib Dems found that Lambeth Council had office and other buildings around the borough which had not been properly maintained by Labour. These included the leisure centres in Brixton, Clapham and the pool in Streatham. Some buildings (including Mary Seacole House in Clapham) were in such a poor state that they breached Health and Safety legislation. They also failed to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act in terms of access, and were expensive to maintain.

The cost of putting these buildings into a state where they would meet Health and Safety and the Disability Discrimination Act requirements would be over £60 million in the next twenty-five years. Lib Dem councillors looked at what could be done and whether there were regeneration opportunities for the borough's town centres like Clapham.

It was clear there were regeneration opportunities for Clapham that would allow the services provided by the Council to be substantially improved. The Council is currently consulting on options to use the Mary Seacole House site, including maintaining the status quo. In all options there would be a new 25 metre, 6-lane swimming pool with a learner pool. There are varying proposals for a health and fitness suite and a sports hall.

Renovating the Clapham Leisure Centre to a modern standard and to make good the previous lack of maintenance would cost £5 million - similar to the cost of building a new leisure centre on the Mary Seacole House site. The disadvantage of refurbishment of course is that the pool and leisure centre would close while work was done, whereas building a new leisure centre would allow the pool and leisure centre to remain open until the new centre was ready.

Lib Dems on Lambeth Council have resolved to improve leisure services in the borough (including north of Brixton which currently has no provision), and - importantly - to ensure that no current facilities close before the new ones are ready to open; if anyone is saying something different then they are wrong. Lib Dems have resolved that swimming pool, leisure and library services will be available continuously throughout any redevelopment.

During March and April 2006 the council will be consulting on three development options for the future of Mary Seacole House on Clapham High Street and a fourth option to refurbish the existing leisure and library facilities in the area.

Road shows, public meetings, and individual meetings, to explain the options in more detail will offer a chance to give your views on the proposals. Road shows for the Clapham leisure proposals, to give people the opportunity to look at the options, will be held on the following dates: 13 March at Clapham Library, 14 March at Clapham Leisure Centre, 22 March at Sainsbury's, Clapham High Street rear car park), and 23 March at Stockwell Community Resource Centre. For more information or an information booklet and questionnaire contact e-mail revitalise@lambeth.gov.uk or call 0800 052 6336 (freephone).