Crucial £1.5m repairs for King Alfred (From The Argus)

Crucial £1.5m repairs for King Alfred

11:10am Wednesday 12th November 2008 in

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Urgent repairs are to be carried out on the King Alfred leisure centre at a cost of up to £1.5 million.

Ted Kemble, cabinet member for major projects, said the investment was needed to ensure the Hove seafront facility meets basic health and safety standards before a long-term plan is devised.

It was confirmed at the weekend that the £290 million redevelopment of the King Alfred centre would not go ahead.

In July, financial backer Dutch bank ING, pulled out of the scheme, leaving it hanging by a thread.

When planning permission was granted in March last year, it was expected developer Karis would give Brighton and Hove City Council a three-month notice to leave the building, known as a vacant possession notice, by November 9.

Without a backer, Karis was unable to do this and the contract between the developers and Brighton and Hove City Council expired at midnight on Sunday.

Councillor Kemble criticised the previous Labour administration, which backed the King Alfred scheme, for not preparing a “plan B”.

But Gill Mitchell, Labour group leader on the council, said her party could not draw up alternatives while tied into a contract with Karis.

Coun Kemble said: “The closure of the King Alfred at this stage would be a huge mistake given that this is the largest wet and dry sports facility in the city.

“Increasing participation in sport for all our residents is a major priority for us and that is why we are investing up to £1.5 million in urgent works to keep it open.

“But the reason we are now having to invest so heavily in basic health and safety and maintenance measures is that the previous Labour administration failed to plan responsibly for this eventuality – there was no ‘plan B’.

“Now we have ensured the King Alfred centre remains open, we need to ensure that we have a full and frank discussion on what the options are for the future since the current funding package is not the long-term solution for the site.”

Karis said last week ING was willing to come back on board if the scheme was reworked so it was profitable and any proposal was mothballed until the economy improved.

Ms Mitchell said: “We could not have a ‘plan B’ because it would have undermined the agreement.

“That the Conservatives, who have been campaigning against the scheme for a number of years, do not have a fully worked alternative is surprising.”

A report on the redevelopment of the King Alfred site and urgent works is due to be discussed on November 20 at Hove Town Hall.