Hes East Sports Facilities in Jeopardy

Proposals to build a new swimming pool and leisure complex at the University of York by 2011 as part of the Heslington East development have been left in tatters after a huge funding gap of £4 million that has come to plague the project remains to be filled.

The project, which was to be co-funded by the University and the City of York Council, was projected to cost £11 million. Initially the University had earmarked £5million for the project with the council contributing £2 million. The planned pool would include a 12-lane, 25-metre pool and sports facilities.

Vision has seen a damning report for the council’s audit commission, in which Mr Croft, the Council’s Assistant Director of Lifelong Learning, claims that the initial completion date of summer 2011 was in jeopardy, as those behind the project could not comply with the set deadline. Mr Croft admitted that the project could be as much as 25 years from completion.

Vision has also discovered that as part of the planning consent for the Heslington East expansion the University pledged to provide a public swimming pool, in what is known as a ‘Section 106’ agreement.John Meacock, the Heslington East Project Director, claimed as part of the public inquiry into the project that, “The facilities for recreation and sport at the University are inferior compared to other Higher Educational Institutes in the country and this will be significantly redressed through this development” as well as promising that the new facilities would bring wider community benefits.

As the agreement does not impose a deadline for the completion of the facilities it seems the University is stalling on its commitment to provide the facilities for its student’s and the public. The Council are growing impatient with the University, and they have called for a “binding legal agreement” to be drawn up to force the pace of the project.

In what is a revealing statement on the state of the University’s finances Mr Croft claims that, ” The University has had to expand its capital programme to take on additional projects. This has caused it to draw more heavily upon capital borrowing than had been expected.In these circumstances, the University has been forced to reprioritise its capital planning. A completion date of 2011 is contingent upon the business plan providing financial balance.”

This news will come as another blow to York’s many water sports teams,who, as Mr Meacock admits, already struggle for training facilities and have recently seen their grants slashed by up to 50%. Swimming Club President  Charles Morton complained, “ours are very training intensive sport, most competitive clubs train for 15 – 20 hours a week, our fear is that the more external bodies fund our facilities, the more we will be looked over and will receive very little pool time, which is essential if we are to compete at a high level.”

The University released a statement claiming, “The University is continuing discussions with City of York Council on ways of delivering the swimming pool and associated fitness facilities. The economic downturn and its impact on the availability of capital has meant the task of bridging that funding gap has become more challenging, but discussions with the Council are continuing.”