BOURNEMOUTH council says there was nothing wrong with the figures that led them to recommend the closure of Hengistbury Head outdoor centre in Southbourne.

The news comes as it was revealed that several groups have expressed an interest in saving the centre and a second tender process will start in mid May.

The council has already decided to defer closing the centre until August 31 to allow more time for organisations with robust business plans to come forward.

The project board is still considering a request to keep the centre open until the end of October so autumn water sport courses could go ahead.

Bill Howlett, in a group submitting a tender to run the centre, told Bournemouth council’s meeting (tues) that he was concerned that incorrect information was “liberally” being spread around.

He had heard Cllr Beesley on Hope FM say that it cost £20 in subsidy per visit to the centre.

He said visitor numbers quoted were wrong, and that some costs figures were incorrect or missing.

Mr Howlett added: “Even if the figures we were given were correct you may have been guided to the wrong conclusion.”

Di Mitchell, the service director for children’s learning and engagement, told the meeting that figures had been checked and re-checked.

The meeting heard that the tender process and the decision making process for the budget were different, and one report had to cover two separate issues.

Assumptions were made by council staff on the cost to the council, not the tendering process.

After extensive debate, meeting chairman Ben Grower said he could see no evidence that the mathematics were wrong.

The committee agreed that a revised report to cabinet will make clear where assumptions were made, and take into account a series of questions raised by councillor Morgan including why it was suggested that it would cost £48,000 to install items such as ramps to make the building disability accessible.

After the meeting, centre instructor Mark Ferris said the centre was open and taking bookings on 01202 425173.