A full 'lessons learned' report into Kenilworth's two new leisure facilities will be published by the district council once the two projects are complete.

Councillors this week discussed why the costs of the Abbey Fields and Castle Farm developments have risen by more than £8 million combined, with the deputy chief executive of Warwick District Council promising that a full report will be produced.

Speaking at Tuesday's overview and scrutiny committee meeting Chris Elliot said: "I don't think given the economic environment of the time and the way that Kier admitted that it got some elements of the specification wrong, that we could have done anything different. 

"There is a whole lessons learned that we could do around the genesis of this project to where we are today, but that isn't just about the tender process."

A report discussed by councillors shows that the cost of demolishing and rebuilding Castle Farm Recreation Centre had been estimated at £9,937,000 last September but will now set Warwick District Council back £14,153,000 - a 42 per cent increase.

Meanwhile the cost of replacing the swimming pools in Abbey Fields has risen 48 per cent from £8,468,000 to £12,550,000.

The report says the initial estimates were made by contractor Kier last September, building and material costs have increased significantly, and the district council has made changes to the design.

It also states that a cheaper tender offer had been made but was rejected by the council.

Mr Elliot explained: "It's not just about cost. 

"Although it was around £200,000 cheaper, we looked at the first bid in the round around quality and cost, so it was never going to be just around cost."

He also said it was made clear to him that new leisure facilities had to be provided in Kenilworth, following similar developments in Leamington Spa and Warwick.

And leader of the council Cllr Andrew Day said the issues around the two leisure projects had been scrutinised at all stages by councillors.

"The question of a lido or not a lido has possibly been the most debated item of any item this council has debated in three years," he said. 

"Any sense that it has not seen the cold hard light of political attention would be wholly inaccurate. 

"This is the last piece of a district-wide upgrade in leisure facilities that has spanned two councils and is one of the biggest capital projects up until Kenilworth School we have undertaken in decades."

Cllr Alan Rhead added: "We have got to remember that construction contracts are risky. 

"Until they come out the ground, they are risky. 

"So, we have to be aware of those sorts of matters, and there are contingencies within this contract. 

"We really do need to be quite clear that construction is a risky business."