THE long-awaited opening of a flagship town centre project has been delayed yet again.

The opening of The Curve, Slough Borough Council's flagship community building, has been put back until spring 2016, the council announced today (Wednesday).

The opening was meant to be in December - Slough Central library staff still understood today the move was going ahead in December- but the new building is now not expected to be handed over to the council until February with an opening event taking place in spring.

In a meeting with council directors and commissioners, Pat Boyle, managing director construction for Morgan Sindall plc said the delay was due to an underestimation of the amount of work still required to hand over the building and the team’s commitment to delivering a first class facility.

Morgan Sindall plc has pledged to cover expenses the council will incur due to the delay.

Mr Boyle said: “I would like to apologise sincerely for the disappointment and inconvenience a delay to the project will cause.

“I can assure you Morgan Sindall will ensure the completion of the project remains its top priority and the building will be one which Slough can be proud of.”

Cllr Martin Carter, commissioner for community and leisure, said: “The Curve is unique and innovative with a dynamic design and it is very important to us it is delivered to residents with the quality we expect.

“I am still incredibly excited by the new opportunities this building will afford to all residents in terms of leisure, culture and the arts.”

An initial delay was put down to a problem with asbestos being found on the site.

Once complete, The Curve will house a brand new library, cafe, museum, performance venue, learning rooms and computer suite. At the last estimate, it will cost £22m to build.