EXCLUSIVE: More cash for new Larkhall Leisure Centre in South Lanarkshire Council U-turn
The local authority is coughing up an extra £3.85m to include a large games hall.
South Lanarkshire Council is coming up with nearly £4 million extra for the new Larkhall Leisure Centre after plans for a watered down facility were met with anger from the community.
Earlier this month we told you the local authority didn't have enough money to include a larger games hall when work begins on the building later this year.
In an exclusive interview, the boss Joe Fagan says they will now invest a total of £27.75m in the project.
He told Clyde 1: "We have the opportunity to increase this budget further and resolve the issue once and for all.
"This will include a final cash uplift to deliver a larger games hall in line with community aspirations.
"I recognise there is concern about the new leisure centre in some parts of Larkhall and I want to reassure people that we are listening."
These budget proposals will be put forward at full council next week when the administration agrees on its spending plans for the year ahead.
The original proposals which didn't include a large games hall sparked an outcry and triggered a petition with nearly 2,000 signatures.
Pictures below show the condition of the current leisure centre building:
Adam Archibald used to work there as a lifeguard and has been campaigning heavily for a re-think to the proposals.
He told Clyde 1: "I have mixed emotions about this - it's frustrating that it has taken so long to get to this point and it feels like we haven't been listened to.
"On the other hand, the council is trying to rectify its mistake and serve the people.
"It does finally feel like there could be a bit of light at the end of the tunnel with this."
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