Further council funds are to be pumped into refurbishment of a much delayed Liverpool leisure centre.
Liverpool Council is to spend an additional £1m to advance work at the Peter Lloyd Leisure Centre in Tuebrook as delays continue to mount. It was revealed last month that the site is slated to reopen in September, a full year later than billed.
Cllr Harry Doyle, cabinet member for culture and visitor economy, confirmed to committee members that further cash was being invested into speeding up the works to meet the new deadline and “bring it up to scratch.” He said: "I want that centre open in September, it’s been delayed enough."
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The Lifestyles centre on Bankfield Road had been expected to open in the Autumn of last year before Cllr Doyle confirmed complications had arisen with the works, resulting in a further set back. The pacing of the project has even attracted criticism from Mayor Joanne Anderson, who said progress in Tuebrook had not been good enough.
Cllr Doyle told committee members that contractors Kier had been tasked with ascertaining what can be completed by the September deadline as well as a timescale for all required works. Cllr Billy Lake, Tuebrook and Stoneycroft ward member, said : “Further works invariably means further delay.”
He said it was clear that the main hall floor needed replacing which will cost “a hell of a lot of money” alone and the fact that contractors were being asked to establish what work could be completed in the next six months was the “clue” that it was unlikely to be finished on time, branding the plan as “optimistic.” Cllr Doyle replied: “We don’t have the full facts yet but we would rather have it open in September and if we have to close one side for a few weeks, fine.”
Officers have also been asked to look at replacing old gym equipment with design and costs to come in the “next few weeks.” Capital investment of £500,000 has already been invested into the site by Liverpool Council which Cllr Doyle had previously said underlined the local authority’s commitment to Peter Lloyd.
Other Lifestyles centres which have been shut since the start of the pandemic, Everton Park and Park Road, were able to reopen to visitors last year.
