WEST FIFERS will have to wait until next summer to use the revamped Carnegie Leisure Centre - SIX MONTHS later than promised.

Fife Council has blamed the delay on “design and construction challenges” including dry rot, bad weather and the design and construction of a new roof.

In 2008 the Press was told the leisure centre would open “no later” than January 2011.

And while the £17.2m centre will be among the country’s best when finally opened, the delays have cast a shadow over the already controversial refurbishment.

The project was initially costed at £6million in 2006 but by 2008 had gone up to £13million, before increasing again to £17.2million.

The Press understands the final costs are now likely to hit £18m.

Grant Ward, Fife Council’s head of leisure and cultural services, said, “We share the frustration of our customers in terms of this taking longer than we thought.

“But most understand that we’ve got to get it right and when we do finish the building - and the end is now in sight - we will have a facility for Dunfermline that stands in comparison with anything in Scotland.” He added, “In the case of Carnegie you’ve got the original 1905 Edwardian part of the building that brings with it certain sensitivities and challenges around trying to protect and preserve that Carnegie heritage.

“On top of that you’ve got two extensions built in the 70s and 80s - so it’s a messy, complex, bit-of-a-guddle site.” Last week the Press joined local councillors for a behind-the-scenes tour of the site to see how work was progressing.

Once opened the Grade B-listed building’s new features will include a new deck-level pool with underwater moveable floor, a state-of-the-art gym with 80 stations and three purpose-built aerobic studios.

There will also be a wetside communal changing village and a health suite with integrated steam room, sauna, hot room and spa bath.

Labour councillor Willie Sullivan, who did not attend the recent site visit, has complained that these features would also have been available if the administration had favoured a new-build.

In 2008 he called for a report on the costs, benefits and potential of the project.

A motion he proposed to discuss the issue at a City of Dunfermline area committee at that time was ruled as “incompetent”.

This week he said, “It will look fantastic when it’s finished but we don’t know what we would have got for a new-build.

“All along, all I wanted was a full comparison of costs and a full consultation, which was denied.

“Because they had to defend a decision they didn’t discuss or debate they tried to oversell it and, I believe, misled people about it.

“I wish they were a little bit more realistic about the challenge of transforming an old Edwardian building into a 21st century leisure centre. It was a snap decision.” Work completed so far has included a complete strip-out of the building to the bare shell, the dismantling of most internal walls and reconstruction of all roofs.

Workers have also built a new two-storey steel structure within the existing gymnastics training hall as well as a new plant room.

The refurbishment will add an extra 1500 square metres of internal space.

Councillor Brian Goodall, chair of the council’s housing and communities committee, attended the site visit and said, “We made a firm commitment to ensure that this important part of Carnegie’s legacy and Dunfermline’s built heritage is protected and enhanced and, if need be, we would prefer to take a bit longer if that’s what it takes to get it right.  “When the facility does open its doors it will mean Dunfermline and West Fife will have a sports and leisure centre to rival anything else in Scotland and provide Fifers with first-class facilities now and for generations to come.” Councillor Joe Rosiejak, chair of the City of Dunfermline area committee, added, “I think everyone who attended the site visit appreciated the opportunity to see behind the scenes on this important project and to understand fully all the work that has been carried out so far. “The leisure centre’s heritage within the town is important and the effort that has gone into some of the restoration work is remarkable.”