The first £79.5m proposal for Kingston's new leisure centre was changed because of Conservative mismanagement of the economy, say Liberal Democrats.

The council will vote on a new £44.9m design tonight, which represents almost £35m of savings over the previous plan.

However, the spend on the previous scheme means the new design would still go over the council's £44.5m budget by over £3.6m if accepted.

Cllr Andreas Kirsch reported £900,000 was spent on demolition costs alone.

According to a recent press release from the Lib Dems, "previous proposals had to be adjusted after Liz Truss and the Conservatives' economic turmoil pushed projected costs beyond the council's budget".

Mediha Boran and Tony Lancaster presenting a 1,000-signature petition to the council in March 2023 demanding a statement on the project's delays (Photo: Bobby Vasilev/BobbyVMedia)

Commenting on the new design, Lib Dem Cllr Alison Holt said: "We are now set to have a brilliant new pool with leisure facilities, at a cost that we can afford.

"I'm proud that while leisure projects are being cancelled around the country, and many councils are going bankrupt, we are delivering new high quality facilities for residents."

The centre's new designers Alliance Leisure said they were "working with community stakeholders [and] potential future users" in January this year to ensure the new centre meets locals' needs.

Their new design is estimated to be ready in Spring 2027, and includes a 150-station gym, four-court sports hall, three multi-activity studios, an eight-lane swimming pool, two squash courts, a health suite with sauna and steam rooms, café and a soft play area. 

Alliance Leisure also agreed that the rejection of the previous design was down to "the unprecedented national financial picture [leading] to costs rising to almost double the agreed budget".

The need for a replacement leisure centre came in 2019 after the previous Kingfisher facility closed, needing a £5m roof repair.

In an exclusive 2021 interview, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said the council aimed to meet the then-£40m price tag of a replacement through "[selling] the iconic Guildhall, mostly likely for a boutique hotel".

At the time, the building cost almost £4m to run each year.

He continued: "Kingston Council believes it's time to bite the bullet and build a new state-of-the-art leisure centre".

However on 20 February this year, the council approved £1.4m in funds to design a refurbishment and extension plan, saying in January that it wanted "to celebrate its historical context and continue its purpose as the civic heart of Kingston".