THE long-awaited opening of Ashford's revamped Stour leisure centre opens this Saturday. But it will be a somewhat bitter-sweet occasion for the town.

The project has been plagued by a series of problems. Severe delays, massive overspends, asbestos and legal wrangles have marred what should have been a celebration for the borough.

The centre officially opens 18 months late and £5million over budget, at a final total cost of £17million.

The initial budget was set at £7million back in 2002, but was increased to £12million in September 2006, when council leader Paul Clokie revealed the huge cost increase.

Building work began in January 2005 and was expected to finish in spring 2006.

But problems arose and a new opening date of May 2007 was set.

After further setbacks, it was believed the centre would open this July, in time for the school summer holidays.

A competition was launched to find the first children to ride the flumes.

But the centre remained unfinished and the opening date was pushed back yet again, to September 15.

Last year, Ashford council borrowed £4million from the Government to finance the extra costs on the project, which has been carried out by architects Holder and Mathias.

Recently the council revealed that £80,000 has been spent on legal fees in efforts to reclaim some of the costs incurred by the delays.