The new Elephant and Castle Leisure Centre is not fit to open on schedule, it has been revealed this week.
The brand new facility, built on part of the old leisure centre site, was originally due to open in the summer last year, but 500 medieval skeletons unearthed on site in October 2012 put the brakes on the £20million development.
With start of construction delayed until February 2013, the opening of the facility, which will include a 25-meter pool, badminton courts, a gym, a cycle studio and a crèche, was put back to autumn this year.
Mark Williams, Southwark’s cabinet member for regeneration, told the News the opening had been delayed but could not say why for legal reasons and could not provide a new opening date at this stage.
“While other councils are considering closing them down, we are using development in the borough to fund new first-class leisure centres for our residents.
“We are very much looking forward to opening the brand new Castle leisure centre in the near future and we are working with the contractors to ensure it is handed over as soon as possible.
“We will be providing a top quality facility, even if we have to wait a little longer than anticipated,” said Cllr Williams.