City of York Council's plans for improved facilities at the city's Barbican leisure and entertainment complex are likely to be boosted by a new round of bids involving proposals for the comprehensive re-development of the site following the first round of bidding last year.

Today, council leader councillor Rod Hills pledged the council would protect public access to swimming and other entertainment whatever the outcome of the process which is set to continue with a final shortlist of five from 11 bids. The council is to consider taking a lease on the pool in any new development to protect public swimming access.

Councillor Hills said, "We have listened to members of the public and launched this process as the best way of achieving vital new investment in swimming facilities at the Barbican complex without overburdening council tax payers.

"We are now entering a crucial phase with a number of viable and exciting proposals for Barbican re-development on the table - each of which could feasibly deliver the kind of 21st century swimming, leisure and other entertainment facilities we are looking to deliver for the residents of York."

A report to the council's next executive meeting on Friday (January 11) reveals that selling only the Kent Street Coach and Car Park site bordering the Barbican complex would be unlikely to generate enough cash to finance a new or refurbished swimming pool at the existing complex.

But it also reveals that comprehensive redevelopment could provide enhanced public facilities over and above the minimum demanded by the council - with the potential for reduced annual running costs for the council and a capital receipt for investment in services elsewhere in the city as well.

The report suggests the council takes advantage of the high level of interest in the site by beefing up its requirements for enhanced public swimming opportunities and better use of auditorium facilities for a wide variety of quality entertainment.

Charlie Croft, head of the council's York Leisure Office, said, "We are now asking the five shortlisted bidders - all respected and reputable concerns - to come back with more details of their proposals.

"The important thing to stress is that we are not going to be rushing into a choice.

We have always said that the best scheme will incorporate our aspirations for continued high-quality leisure facilities on that site and there is a lot of discussion still to be had over which proposal best suits those aims.

"The good news is that the interest we have received suggests we can provide improved leisure facilities and save taxpayers' money in the process." The five preferred bidders unveiled in today's report are Town Centre and K W Linfoot; Taylor Woodrow Property; S Harrison Developments Ltd; The Barbican Venture and Landmark Development Projects.

The council's current timetable for any re-development would mean completion in the middle of 2005 with public consultation before any scheme was to get underway next year (2003).

The debate over the future of the site was prompted by public demands to retain the city's three main swimming pools - and the need for these to be refurbished.

The council has already allocated £1.3m to this programme of work and this will be spent on Edmund Wilson during this year. The Barbican pool is in need of at least £2.2m while the sale of the Kent Street coach and car park site would only have raised £2m.

The council spends £660,000 a year on providing leisure facilities at the Barbican complex and is keen to make savings on that figure.

Mr Croft said councillors were being asked to refine their specifications and ask those shortlisted to prepare more detailed bids. He said, "We would hope to have a proposal on the table for public consultation by the summer."

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