View the sea sports
centre as it is now.

A new sea sports centre at Dover which should have been opened
more than a year ago is still not completed.

The centre, built on part of the beach, was designed to replace
a number of buildings on the seafront used by the Lifeguard Club,
Rowing Club and Water Sports Centre, as well as providing
facilities for the public, including a bistro.

Work began in August 2007 and it was due to have been completed
within nine months, with the opening date having originally been
put at early 2008.

But the overall cost escalated from £1.9 million to £2.5
million, and at one stage Dover District Council had to make an
emergency payment just to keep the contractors on site. A shortage
in the supply of steel was another reason for the delay.

Fencing still surrounds the site, with building materials
scattered around.

Now the project bosses have admitted they don’t have enough
money to finish the job. Spokesman Bill Fawcus said this week that
another £240,000 was needed to complete the project, and there is
still no opening date in sight.

The building, which was originally expected to be in use for
last year’s Dover Regatta is not now likely to be ready for this
year’s event which takes place next month.