New Braddan leisure complex goes over budget again

Mon, 31 Jul 2023

Braddan Parish Commissioners has applied to borrow up to an extra £3.4million from the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) to complete the construction of its leisure complex at The Strang.

This follows on from the announcement in February 2023 that the project had gone over budget and was then projected to cost around £7.5m. 

It is unclear as to whether the latest request of £3.4m was included in the February figures, if they weren't, then the projected cost will be just under £11m; costs that will ultimately be born by the rate payers of Braddan.

Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper tweeted that he hopes that any costs "will not fall on the taxpayer".

Hooper went on "It was a Braddan Commissioners decision to build this thing, it shouldn’t be up to the taxpayer to bail them out because it’s gone wrong".

The Commissioners have said that “as well as providing a range of new leisure, health and community facilities for all ages Island-wide, the complex will create in the region of 25 local jobs”.

Chairman Andrew Jessopp said: “Excitement is starting to ramp up as we approach the completion of The Roundhouse.

“It has been several decades since a local authority undertook a scheme of this scale and, having been on site recently, it is truly wonderful to see it all coming together. We have no doubt our modern leisure and community complex will have a huge positive impact on the outlook, health and wellbeing of Island residents.

“Since the outset, this has been very much a team effort involving local architects, contractors and craftsmen to match the aspirations of the local authority. The scheme has created jobs in the construction industry, as well as at the completed complex itself, and when open will increase footfall to the area and give a boost to local businesses.

“Regrettably, schemes of this nature take a long time to come to fruition, and inevitably, since it was first planned, the cost has risen. The island has suffered the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, Brexit and the Ukraine war. They brought with them material price increases and labour shortages, both of which the entire building industry on and off the Island is experiencing.

“There were also some unexpected issues with the building design that has slowed its progress, but I am delighted we can now see the finishing line and we are all looking forward to seeing how residents in the parish, and Island wide, can enjoy the first-class facilities at The Roundhouse for generations to come.”

The 'Roundhouse' is due to open to the public in November this year.

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