Anger at ‘gaffer taped’ £36m Council sports centre

Buckinghamshire Council has come under fire over delays to repairs at its £36m sports centre, which has been “gaffer taped” in some places.

The Council opened Chilterns Lifestyle Centre, its flagship sports venue, in Amersham in December 2021.

But less than two years on, the Centre requires work to fix broken benches, an out-of-order parking machine and graffiti-scrawled doors.

A man living near the Centre told the BBC Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that he wanted “to be proud of” the new local facility but could not be until repairs were carried out.

The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I have been dismayed at the poor attention to maintenance and repairs by Bucks Council and to the external hard and soft landscaping, at what is effectively a brand-new facility.”

Despite his concerns, a member of staff at the Centre said facilities were in good condition and they were not aware of them needing repair work.

However, photos taken this month show several elements of the site in need of repair, as well as shrubs and trees that have died.

The resident said: “It is very disappointing when we see dead trees and shrubs not replaced as they should be, benches damaged or missing, and general maintenance and repairs not carried out over a period of many months.”

This week, however, a team of gardeners were seen at the front of the building cutting grass and trimming hedges.

The resident said he had reported issues with the Centre to the Council since May, and that gardening should be one of the main priorities.

He suggested that the Centre’s £36m price tag had not included enough money for maintenance and planting.

He said: “Quite a lot of the new trees have died and or have been removed, particularly two in front of the main entrance.

“A lot of the shrubs have also died, leaving big bare patches, or very healthy weed growth which is allowed to run rampant.”

It is also claimed that one of the new benches at the main entrance has been broken for months, and another facing the exercise area is completely missing.

Another issue raised is an electrical panel on the main entrance footpath into the Centre, which has been “broken and held together with gaffer tape for months”.

While pointing out the delays to repair work, the anonymous member of the public also highlighted some of his favourite aspects of the centre.

He said: “I have to say that this very large building is rather less imposing and intrusive than I had feared, with the design and materials actually blending in with the surroundings better than I had expected.

“We were particularly heartened by the scope of the external landscaping and planting, which has considerably softened the bulk of the building, and bodes well for the future as it grows and matures, so that’s a definite plus point.

“It is also wonderful to be able to see the field and trees in the distance now, and the young children’s playground is proving very popular.”

The Council has been approached for comment.