Speirs Centre set for £2.9m revamp

Jamie MacDonald • Published 4 Aug 2010 09:30 4 Comments

Clackmannanshire Council has started the tendering process for a £2.9 million refit of the Speirs Centre.

The contract for the overhaul of the building in Alloa's Primrose Street, has been advertised on the Public Contracts Scotland website since Monday and offers are being invited which must fall inside the price scale outlined by the council.

But there has been concern expressed over the cost of the project at a time when the council's budget is being slashed.

In recent weeks the local authority asked Wee County residents to come forward with suggestions on ways to plug a £13 million finance gap over three years.

The Scottish Government is expected to slash the public sector budget by 12 to 20 per cent in the period and the £13 million figure is based on a 12 per cent cut. If cuts are deeper the required saving could grow.

When contacted by the Advertiser, SNP group leader Gary Womersley said his group was not aware that tenders were now being invited.

He said, "There were previous papers that had come to council about the Speirs Centre that had been changed or amended. I thought a further paper would be coming back to council.

"I cannot find out a jot about this. I am disappointed and the silence from senior officers is deafening. This is another sign of a weak Labour administration."

He added, "I am somewhat surprised the council has taken this step. They recently announced they were going into consultation with the public to prioritise areas of the budget.

"There is a myriad of things that will need a large spend of money, such as the new school proposal for St John's and Claremont primaries. It will be for councillors to make the final decision on this."

All bids for the Speirs Centre contract must be in by 27 August. Work is earmarked to begin in January 2011 and should take two years to complete.

The refurbished Grade 'B' listed building is expected to include a relocated Alloa Library, a coffee bar, provision of information services, learning facilities, community education programme facilities, customer services and a healthy living centre. A long awaited museum facility and tourist information service will also feature as part of a new museum heritage trail.

Councillor Eddie Carrick, the council's sustainability portfolio holder, said, "The Speirs Centre refurbishment was approved by council as part of the capital programme in February.

"As part of the groundwork in order to put together a detailed business case, the council is currently tendering to appoint architects for the redesign.

"A detailed report on the planned redevelopment will come before a future meeting of the council."

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• 

  Jamabear
  Unregistered User
  Aug 4, 21:58
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  And what will happen to the existing library? LIe empty like other Alloa Town Centre buildings? They could close Lime Tree House and move the staff to Drysdale Street. May be they can let it to another charity or a hairdressers or food takeaway. Probably will give to something that will not bring business to Alloa Town Centre
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  CD Player
  Unregistered User
  Aug 5, 15:05
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  So are the existing facilities, for gymnastics and used for children's play and development, to be retained or upgraded?
  
  The Spiers Centre is not a top priority for the Council, is it? The facility is in a useable condition. Why move the library from its current location to Primrose Street?
  
  And what has happened to the idea of a museum at Kilncraigs? How can teh history of Clackmannanshire be showcased if it is to crammed into the Spiers Centre with these other facilities?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  rosstaylor
  Unregistered User
  Aug 6, 16:36
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  Why?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  redhopi
  28 posts
  Aug 7, 21:45
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  £2.9 million to upgrade a building, disgusting.
  
  Roads are needing repaired, not from winter damage, but damage before the winter arrived.
  
  Staff are being forced to take a salary cut, and not small ones either! Bet Caddenhead, Stewart and Leitch are not having their salaries - or perks - cut.
  
  Public are being mucked about, and if the library and all those who are being moved into the library will be expected to move to the refurbished Spiers Centre, it will be another move and waste of our money - Library has already been in Mar Street, Church Street, where they are at present, and now possibility of another move.
  
  One of the groups mentioned to be moved to the Spiers Centre is Healthy Living Initiative, whatever waste of money that is. Maybe someone with some gumption in the council will take the initiative and get rid of this further waste of money.
  
  £2.9 million is a disgusting waste of our money.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 0

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