7:40am Wednesday 10th June 2009
By Stephen Bailey
THE controversial council takeover of Bournemouth's luxury fitness club Roko was approved last night (Tuesday).
A meeting of the full council backed the £6.9m plan to buy out and expand the centre.
The shock plan has disgruntled some members who told the Echo they do not want it to become a “cheap” council club.
Cllr Anne Rey, Throop and Muscliff, said: “A few have contacted me to say they should have been consulted and they are worried it will not be well looked after.”
Negotiations to take over Roko in Manor Farm Road had been going on for over a year before they were revealed last month. The sale will go ahead on July 1.
Leader of the Tory-run council Stephen MacLoughlin said: “There are no ideological hang ups for us in taking over a private club. What we are interested in is getting the best deal for the council tax payers and the public.”
He said like the highly successful and award winning Littledown Centre it would cater for people from all backgrounds.
The council has wanted a sports centre in north Bournemouth for years and he said the deal had been a tremendous opportunity to achieve that, save money and improve health.
Opposition councillors backed the plan. It will save spending £11m on a new build next to Kings High School.
Lib Dem leader Cllr Claire Smith, Kinson North, said: “It’s not as central as we hoped for but it’s a good compromise.”
Deputy leader Cllr John Beesley said no decision has been made on the Kings High site. Ward councillors would oppose new housing.
Casual users can use Roko from October.
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