Council takes control of Princes Golf and Leisure

Dartford Council has confirmed that it is to take control of one of Dartford’s most popular sports and leisure facilities after the current management company admitted spiralling losses.

Council bosses met with representatives of club users last weekend and described the discussions as highly productive and good natured. As a result the contract to manage the Princes Golf and Leisure will not be renewed and the Council will take control of the facility on Friday October 1st.

At the same time, Members of Dartford Borough Council Cabinet announced the establishment of a consultative committee bringing together Council Members and facility users to safeguard the interests of the clubs and activities currently based at the Princes Road site.

Princes Golf and Leisure currently occupies a site close to the proposed new Stadium for Dartford Football Club and Council bosses have confirmed their ambition to create a campus of sporting and leisure activities. The Club currently includes a 9-hole golf course, football pitches, bowls and squash, all of which could have closed on September 30 at the end of the current lease.

The decision means sports clubs at Princes are assured of facilities until May 2005, with the council committing to working with users to enhance the facilities. In addition, bookings made for the clubhouse including birthday and anniversary parties would also be safe.

Announcing the decision to take over the running of the facilities Dartford Borough Council Leader, Kenneth Leadbeater, said the decision reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to sport and leisure in the borough.

“The existing lease for Princes Golf and Leisure expired at the end of September but negotiations with the management company revealed an increasing amount of debt that would have been unsustainable,” Cllr Leadbeater explained.

“However to have closed Princes would have meant a significant number of people losing an important facility – we couldn’t allow that to happen without ensuring the future security for the clubs and the events already booked.”

“Our plan to build a new home for Dartford FC and bring the club home is a major project but we are determined to work with other sports too.”

A meeting held between Senior Councillors and club representatives helped the Council to make the right choice, according to Deputy Council Leader Cllr Jeremy Kite.

“We met with representatives of clubs last weekend and there was an almost instant meeting of minds. They appreciate that there is likely to be some disruption as the new stadium is developed but they can clearly see, as we can, the huge opportunities for the future. It was an absolute delight to meet with them and users have a huge part to play in defining the way we move forward.”

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