NEW gym facilities have been delayed after changes to the building programme, Isle of Wight Council said today (Tuesday).
The Tone Zone gym, activity studio and dry-side changing rooms at Medina Leisure Centre, Fairlee Road, Newport have been delayed by three weeks.
The work is now expected to be completed by the end of March, with the new studio scheduled to open on Tuesday, April 2, and the gym on Monday, April, 8.
John Metcalfe, Isle of Wight Council deputy director for economy and environment, said: "It is disappointing that we have this delay in completing the first phase of the refurbishment, but it is for the best of reasons.
"We programmed the works so as not to impact on key exams at Medina College and I am sure leisure users and parents would appreciate and understand these actions.
"We are also having one or two issues fitting the steel structure to the existing structure which was expected, although the scale of required works could not have been anticipated.
"In general terms however, we are pleased with the overall progress of the works and I am sure that our users new and old will greatly appreciate the new facilities when they are open."
The leisure centre is undergoing the first of three phases of major redevelopment as part of a multi-million pound investment by the council across its leisure facilities.
It is thought this delay will have a knock-on effect on the whole development.
The second phase, which is split into two and includes a new bar, café and toilet facilities, will be completed at the end of April, while the refurbished pool, plant and wet-side changing rooms should be ready in June.
Phase three, including refurbishing the female dry-side changing rooms and setting up a new meeting and training room, is planned for the summer.
Building plans also include a new car park that will provide an extra 100 spaces.