PLANS for a £15m sports centre for Didcot have been abandoned because of the recession, South Oxfordshire District Council has admitted.
Last year, the council said it wanted to build a sports centre featuring a swimming pool, an all-weather sports pitch and six tennis courts.
But this week, a council spokesman said: “As a result, (of the recession) there is less demand for housing and less funding available to the council.
“The council will not pay all of the cost of a new centre itself, as the interest from its investments is no longer sufficient to meet the demands upon it. Therefore, the council will not be developing a new centre, although it keep the proposal under review and investigate funding options.”
In the meantime, the council said it hoped to build a £500,000 artificial turf pitch, possibly near Willowbrook Leisure Centre and Didcot Town Football Club in Ladygrove.
Andrew Rolfe, president of Didcot Rugby Club, said: “It has to have an impact on the town because we can’t grow without additional facilities.
Roy Hayes, of Didcot Swimming Club, said: “I’m not surprised. Everything comes down to cost. Didcot has always been left behind.”
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