Beware, the wrecking ball is still hanging over Sobell
• ISLINGTON Council recently distributed a leaflet at Sobell Sports Centre that heralds repairs and improvements planned during the next six months.
This confirms the spending of £1.7million of Islington residents’ taxes to undertake essential repairs to the centre in early 2010.
The council states “that these should help us to improve its appearance and efficiency”. The work will involve installing a new ice rink from January to April; temporary roof repairs from April to June; essential repairs and improvements to heating, lighting and ventilation systems from February to July; some minor internal redecoration throughout the building; and the replacement of the sports hall floor in the summer holidays.
Where possible, the council is aiming to phase the work in order to minimise disruption, but apologises that the ice rink will have to close from January to April, during which time skaters will need to use alternative facilities.
Apparently, the time frames specified have been unilaterally set by the council without consultation with Aquaterra Leisure. Far be it from me to suggest that the time frames detailed have been influenced by the forthcoming elections.
Politics apart, so far so good. However, when you go to the council website you see the sentence: “The council is still committed to redeveloping the site in the longer term and aims to re-use items such as the new ice rink for a new, improved leisure centre.”
So while the pre-election leaflet highlights good news for users and residents, the council wrecking ball is still waiting for Sobell – hidden on the website.
If you are an Islington resident, please ask all prospective ward councillors with whom you come into contact to give you specific detail on the policy concerning Sobell supported by the political party they represent. Particularly interesting will be statements on what is meant by “longer term”.
All prospective ward councillors are seeking your vote – and in the next few months all residents are in a strong position to ensure the future of Sobell with a clear and fully-costed improvement and refurbishment programme.
You can bring the pressure needed on the council to remove this online sword of Damocles hanging over Sobell once and for all.
BARRY HILL
Sobell Centre Users’ Representative