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Jubilee Park plan decision needed sooner, not later
A FINAL decision on controversial plans to safeguard the future of Woodhall Spa’s Jubilee Park is expected “sooner rather than later”.
Woodhall Spa Parish Council is considering proposals to build a state-of-the-art gymnasium and a new cafe to generate year-round income from the complex.
The News revealed last month that the council could take out loans totalling more than £800,000 - if it decides to press ahead with both projects. The loans would be guaranteed against the parish council’s annual precept.
The council stresses the leisure centre and cafe developments would generate sufficient income to repay any loans - and provide a contingency fund to cover the on-going costs of running the park.
Reports on the viability of both schemes have been submitted to the parish council, along with proposals to improve the complex’s caravan site.
Separate sub-committees were involved in preparing each report but the council has now charged the park’s management committee with recommending a final course of action.
Parish council chairman David Clarke said: “We need to pull all the various elements together and come up with one integrated plan.
“We want the management committee to consider all the proposals and decide on the course of action.
“There are a lot of things to consider. When they report back to us, we can make a final decision. Obviously, this needs to happen sooner rather than later.”
The decision to use the precept to cover the loans has sparked protests from some residents.
Coun Clark said the council was planning a press release to correct what he called the “massive amount of mis-information” that had been included in letters sent to the media.
He also maintained that it was difficult to put an exact figure on the amount of borrowing involved - until a decision on the various proposals had been made.
He added: “All kinds of figures have been banded about. A lot of people have added the cost of the leisure facility and the cafe together and come up with a total.
“However, that is not necessarily accurate because the proposals for the leisure development would also include space for a cafe.
“We could decide to go ahead with the leisure side of things and not the cafe, or the cafe and not the leisure facility.”
Despite the recent bad weather and the economic recession, councillors were told the park was “performing well.”
The parish council took over ownership of the park last year from East Lindsey District Council in a £1 deal.
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Sunday 26 May 2013
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