Lambeth Council has signed a deal that will see the heart of Streatham reborn.  Residents will benefit from a brand new ice rink, leisure centre and swimming pool, all scheduled to open in 2010. 

While the Lib Dems were running the Council, they let negotiations drift for four years without ever coming to a conclusion.  There were real fears the ice rink, which was falling quickly into disrepair, would be closed permanently just like the ice rink the Lib Dems closed in Richmond.  The run-down swimming pool was condemned by the local press for its filthy and crumbling condition.  But now all that will change thanks to Labour’s can-do approach to sorting out the problems. 

In just 18 months, Labour’s done what the Lib Dems couldn’t in four years.  Tesco, the Council’s partners, have signed a deal that should see work begin on the ‘Streatham Hub’ development early in 2008.  The development will include:

• A state-of-the-art new leisure centre and swimming pool
• A brand new professional-standard ice rink
• 250 new homes, many of them at affordable prices
• Brand new transport interchange with a new bus terminal and revamped train station
• More shops and a Tesco superstore
• Over 400 new local jobs
• Car parking for shoppers to regenerate the High Street

Council Leader Steve Reed helped guide the negotiations.  He said: “After all the years of Lib Dem dithering, it’s taken a Labour council to get the negotiations back on track.  Now Streatham residents can look forward to some of the best sports and leisure facilities in London.  With just days to go until Christmas, this really is a fantastic Christmas present for Streatham!” 

After years of Lib Dem dithering that threatened the future of Streatham's ice rink, Labour's agreed plans that will see work start on a brand new one!