Allegations that a council-run sports centre in Haywards Heath is a burden on council tax payers have been vehemently denied.

Mike Gilks, Cabinet member for leisure and property at Mid Sussex District Council, said today the Dolphin Leisure Centre was an outstanding success story.

Coun Ken Blanshard, leader of the Liberal Democrats group, had reported figures showing the facility's fortunes in the first quarter since a £2.3 million revamp reveal a loss of £76,198.

The development cash was borrowed from council reserves and is to be paid back over the next six years.

Coun Blanshard claims the figures show the first repayment of £526,000 cannot be met and would be added to council tax and has tabled a question on the issue for a council meeting tonight.

But Coun Gilks said: "I can't dispute the figures he has - they are right. However, they don't reflect reality.

"When you look behind them there is a totally different story, and it's all good news. Some of the costs are increases for various directorates that are allocated across the council - they are academic.

"Coun Blanshard has put his own slant on the sums and what he says is very misleading. It's blooming hard work and an expensive investment but it's not negative.

"The business plan we put forward was for six years. Coun Blanshard hasn't even looked at six months."

The first thing to take into account, says Coun Gilks, is the increasing number of users.

He said: "When the Dolphin's new Olympos health suite opened in November there were 801 members. There are now over 2,000 with around 45 joining a week. Basically, it's going like the clappers."

There were also one-off costs in the first quarter to consider, he said.

"Coun Blanshard took his figures from November to February. Many of the costs for new staff and so on were front loaded in November and won't be repeated but the number of users was low compared to now.

"I understand where he got this idea from but I think he has misunderstood the figures and missed the point."

Coun Gilks pointed out the budgeted income for this year was £1,438,500 and the costs were £1,621,050, leaving a deficit of £182,550.

Next year, however, the budgeted figures are £2,273,671 for income and £1,975,518 for costs, leaving a surplus of £298,153.

Coun Gilks said: "They are budgeted figures but I've spoken to the director of the centre and he's confident they will be met. If you ask me, that's an outstanding success story."

Council leader Christine Field pointed out the council's track record for business plans.

She said: "We have a track record of producing, meeting and exceeding business plans. I have complete confidence in the project at the Dolphin."

Coun Blanshard said: "I'm going ahead with this issue.

"I've tabled a question and once I've heard their explanations I have to opportunity of a come-back question. I think this is a serious issue that has to be looked into."