Tories Claim Gurnell Refit Costs Overstated

Say council's figure is up to four times what actually needs to be spent

Gurnell Leisure Centre. Picture: Google Streetview

A row over the future of a popular leisure centre has broken out after claims it would cost £18 million to reopen.

The only Olympic-sized swimming pool in Ealing could fall into permanent disrepair because of council delays, opposition councillors have claimed.

The closed Gurnell Leisure Centre is in limbo after its redevelopment was rejected by Ealing Council’s planning committee in March 2021. The centre is currently a Covid test site.

But Labour council leader Peter Mason said he needs time to “put plans together”, as a full renovation would cost £18 million and take several years.

But Conservative councillors claim more immediate options are available, including cheaper repairs, which would cost £4-5 million.

Tory councillor Seema Kumar said, ”It is disgraceful that the Labour administration is choosing not to prioritise the reopening of the pool whilst they dither over the future of the site.

“This pandemic has shown the importance of our physical and mental well-being.

“Residents want and rightly deserve to have access to their leisure centre.”

A spokesperson for campaign group Save Gurnell said, “Gurnell Leisure Centre has now been closed for nearly 18 months – the community needs this vital community asset back in use.

“We were unaware of the £4 million refurbishment option, having been informed by the council that a refurbishment would cost £18 million.

“It’s already been six years since the cabinet made the decision to replace Gurnell, yet nothing has been achieved as those plans were refused.

“Taking an interim option would provide more time for the council to embark on a meaningful consultation with the residents, identifying what they want from Gurnell.”

A Save Gurnell petition to reopen the leisure centre has now gained 1,120 signatures in five months.

Gurnell Leisure Centre’s permanent closure was confirmed in August 2020 by Ealing Council, who apologised, saying its equipment is “life-expired”.

Plans to rebuild a leisure centre between six residential towers, up to 17 storeys tall, were rejected by council planning bosses in March 2021.

They ruled the plans did not meet the “very special circumstances” required to build on Metropolitan Open Land.

Ealing Lib Dems leader, Cllr Gary Malcolm said: “This is a case where both Labour and the Tories, when running Ealing Council, neglected the management of the building for many years.”

Ealing Independents founder Leslie Bunder said: “lt’s hot air to scare people and claim he hasn’t got £18 million.”

Ealing Council leader Peter Mason said: “Options are being considered for the future of Gurnell Leisure Centre. Refurbishment options have been costed and two options have been looked at.

“Initial estimates indicate that the minimum cost required to enable the leisure centre to be reopened is circa £4-5m, however this is a very basic and temporary “sticking plaster” option which would only result in about three years of operation before more substantial investment would be required.

“A longer term solution would be needed in parallel with this option which could end up costing the council substantial sums of money twice over.

“A comprehensive refurbishment to provide a longer term operational life to the leisure centre has been estimated to cost over £18m.

“This would only refurbish the leisure centre as currently configured and would not provide the best solution for putting Gurnell on a stable financial footing for the years ahead.

“The council is currently considering a number of options for the future of the leisure centre.”

Josh Mellor - Local Democracy Reporter

August 16, 2021 ->->