Funds row over roof repairs

The roof of the near 30-year-old building needs replacing. The premises are jointly owned by Arun and West Sussex councils.

The county council is reported to want to start the work at the Felpham Way centre next spring or summer.

Its timetable envisaged carrying out a detailed condition survey. This will include taking samples of the composition of the roof for further analysis.

Replacing the roof would be carried out in two or three phases. The areas in the worst condition would be replaced first. Completion would be in 2010.

Members of the Arun Leisure Centre management board, comprised mainly of Arun members and representatives of centre operator Inspire Leisure, disagreed with the timescale. They said at their latest meeting that the delay in completing the work was unacceptable.

They wanted work to start immediately because they believed another winter with the roof in its present condition would cause more internal damage to the Tone Zone gym.

After the meeting, an Arun spokeswoman said: "Anything requiring urgent attention at the leisure centre will be given immediate attention.

"In terms of longer term maintenance projects, these have to be considered as part of a planned programme.

"Members of the Arun Leisure Centre management board have requested that the consideration of this longer term planning is made a priority."

A county council spokesman commented: "The roof does need replacing and we are in discussions with the district council about the costs and how best to carry out the work."