COUNCIL chiefs say they remain committed to developing a gym in south west Durham despite a third deadline for the project being missed.

Plans for Spennymoor Leisure Centre were tabled in 2004 as part of a multi-million pound investment programme for leisure services in Sedgefield.

Spennymoor’s Lifestyle Fitness suite was to be totally refurbished but was instead moved to temporary accommodation where it remains today. Users are growing increasingly frustrated with the situation especially after seeing Newton Aycliffe leisure centre receive a £3m refit.

John Dixon, who uses Spennymoor up to three times a week, said the two gyms are polls apart in terms of facilities but not in price .

He said: "They do say they have given us a discount but it’s a discount on what they charge at Aycliffe and the facilities are so much better over there it’s like comparing apples with pears.

"They announced they were making all these improvements and put up all these posters but slowly the posters have come down and no-one seems to know what’s going on."

The project was first announced by the former Sedgefield Borough Council who after the first delay said the new gym should open in September 2008 and then summer 2009.

But as the borough merged to form the new Durham County Council unitary authority Sedgefield’s deadlines have been missed.

Meanwhile casual users at Spennymoor pay £6 a session compared with £7 at Newton Aycliffe.

Stephen Howell, Durham County Council’s head of sport and leisure services, held out hope for the project. He said: "We have developed some outstanding gyms across the county with our partners Competition Line and will continue to do so.

"Spennymoor Leisure Centre is next in line for investment and will create a new facility of the highest quality.

"It is true that this scheme has been delayed but we have discounted memberships to reflect this and believe the current service still offers exceptional value for money.

"The redevelopment is currently out to tender and we will be updating gym members on the revised programme once these are returned."