Carlisle's Sands Centre reopening delayed again
The reopening of the Sands Centre auditorium has been delayed until at least 2026 as the work to remove RAAC panels from the roof continues.
Cumberland Council says the delay to the work is due to storm damage from earlier this year.
The council had previously stated that work would be completed by spring 2025, but the events programme at the Sands Centre is now not expected to begin again until early 2026.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: 'Our project team and contractor have had to face several challenges, and the storm in January had a major impact on the completion of the necessary works. The team worked tirelessly to deal with the storm damage.
'The Sands is the region's premier venue, and the investment in the new roof and the works planned for the auditorium will ensure it is the venue of choice for our residents and wider audiences."
Following the temporary closure of the auditorium last year, GLL, who manage the venue on the council's behalf, moved their classical concert programme to the sports hall within the Sands.
A Cumberland Council statement said: "The temporary closure of the events space to allow the works to be undertaken does not impact on the day-to-day running of the main leisure centre.
"The new main Sands Centre building's leisure provision is unaffected, which includes the pools, gym, studios and sports hall."
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