THE future of a popular leisure centre and swimming pool could finally be safe after Castle Point Council set aside £1.3million for repairs to Waterside Farm.

Cabinet members will now be tasked with deciding who to pay to carry out extensive repairs to the leisure centre in Somnes Avenue, Canvey, following years of debate over its future.

The ageing facility needs urgent repairs to bring it up to scratch, including a complete overhaul of the pool’s pipework, changes to the heating system, refurbishing the changing rooms and installing a new pool lining.

Private investors have been vying for a contract to complete the programme of work since the start of 2010, however due to rising repair costs the project kept getting delayed.

However, the council’s cabinet is to meet on Wednesday to finally make a decision on which company will undertake the work.

Conservative Wendy Goodwin, councillor responsible for leisure and community wellbeing, said: “Waterside Farm is quite an old development, in that it was built in the Seventies, so it definitely needs to be revamped. It is an important facility for this borough and I think everyone would be horrified if it was to go.

“I am sure people will be pleased things are moving forward, and while we try to move things along quickly, unfortunately that is not always possible.”

Not only could the leisure centre be refurbished, it may also become eco-friendly with plans to put up solar panels and wind turbines to make it more energy efficient.

The council hopes that by going green it can cut the centre’s energy bills and get access to money through Government schemes.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Independent Party, said: “I am pleased a decision is going to be made because people need to be reassured and have confidence this work will go ahead. It is a very popular centre and it is looking tired, and these proposals have been put aside for too long a time.”

If the cabinet appoints a company to carry out the work, the issue would then be bought to full council for final approval.

The cabinet meeting takes place from 7pm on Wednesday at the council offices in Kiln Road, Thundersley.