THE bill for moving Darwen Leisure Centre’s historic archway is set to hit at least £140,000, according to a leading councillor.

The 1932 feature is expected to be moved a short distance to form part of the rebuilt new leisure centre, but that decision has not yet been finalised.

Coun Simon Huggill, the council’s lead member for resources, said this move would cost £140,000, but he believes the arch would be better being reconstructed in Bold Venture Park.

But fellow councillors have criticised this idea, saying it was right that the arch formed part of the new £12.7million leisure centre in Green Street.

Council bosses said that at this stage they were still ‘reviewing all options’.

Coun Huggill said the council had been discussing the arch “behind the scenes” for six months but no descision had been made.

He said it would cost at least £140,000 to move it.

On the idea to include it in the new leisure centre he said: “It will create an area where people feel they can misbehave and cannot be seen.

“There is a good number of people who question the appropriateness of the plans.

“I think there would be significant savings by putting it somewhere else.”

Plans to re-build the arch between the new leisure centre and the White Lion pub were revealed in 2007 and the building will be finished at the end of this year.

It was originally constructed in 1932 as part of the Borough of Darwen Public Baths, and marks the entrance of the old building.

Labour Coun Dave Hollings, said: “The idea that we move an important part of Darwen’s history from a place where it has always stood is totally wrong.”

He added that moving it further away would attract more anti-social behaviour and isolate the old facade from its original location.

Conservative Coun Michael Law-Riding, executive member for leisure and culture said: “Throughout the development of the new leisure centre we are constantly reviewing all options open to us.”