Ray Crescent Park pavilion budget soars to £2.1m, councillors question 'exceptionally high' costs

The budget for a new pavilion at Ray Crescent Park in Islington has ballooned to £2.1 million, a figure described as exceptionally high by councillors. The cost per square metre for the building has reached £8,000, a rate that was likened to that of a five-star hotel.

During a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Jon Nott raised concerns about the escalating costs, stating, It has come in at a greater cost than it should have done. He questioned the financial scrutiny applied to the project, which has been in development for approximately 16 years.

Councillor Paul Convery, Executive Member for Finance and Performance, acknowledged that the project had become more expensive than anticipated. He defended the project by highlighting its long gestation period and its aim to provide first-class cricket pitch and facilities for players in that area, describing it as a unique facility in that part of the borough.