A HEAVILY delayed flagship community centre finally has an opening date despite earlier proposals of it being launched by July.

The Curve - a long-awaited central library and cultural centre in Slough - will open its doors in September - nearly one year later than it's original completion date of December 2014.

The £22 million project was first hit with a costly 10-week delay in September 2014, when asbestos pipework lagging was uncovered at the site in Wellington Street - adding an additional £387,200 to the original total.

It was delayed a second time in October last year as a result of an underestimation by Morgan Sindall, the developer, of the amount of work still required to hand over the building. The company took on the additional costs caused by the delay and a new opening date was announced for this spring.

However, a third delay came in March this year when Slough Borough Council announced it planned to move its registrar services from The Centre, in Farnham Road, to the flagship community centre. During a council meeting in March, Roger Parkin, strategic director of customer and community services, said the newly proposed date for the opening would be end of June or beginning of July.

Despite this, the council announced on Tuesday the building, which will house a new central library, community learning rooms, the registrar services including a wedding room, a 280-seater performance and multi-use space, café and garden area, will officially open on September 2.

It said June or July "was not an official opening date" and does not accept there has been a further delay.

Councillor Wayne Strutton, conservative, said: "I'm still concerned about the additional costs caused by the delays.

"How much money is it going to add to the build in increased rent charges and business rates on other premises - like rent at the old library building for example or the rescheduling of the removal services?"

Joe Carter, assistant director assets, infrastructure and regeneration, said: “Despite the delays in building works and reconfiguring the building for different services, the final parts of the build are underway.

“The Curve is transforming the centre of town and will be a trigger for further regeneration as well as providing improved services in a state of the art facility.”

Cllr Joginder Bal, commissioner for environment and leisure, said: “For years the centre of Slough has suffered from a lack of cultural activities and the library has suffered from an ageing building and dated technology.

“Now there is a new site, bringing so much more than just a library or just a theatre, but a range of activities for all communities and all ages."

Comments from residents on social media offered mixed views on the project this week.

Pete Andsons wrote on The Observer's Facebook page: "Bloody eyesore!! Slough council at its best...destroying everything with character or historical value...thank God the castle is in Windsor otherwise that would be pulled down as well!"

But Yousif Hussin wrote: "Looks nice! Maybe we should stop complaining 'waste of money....' until we first see what it's about and its value when it's open."