The final cost of Shrewsbury’s Sports Village has spiralled £1.6 million over the original budget.

The bill for the Sundorne development was announced to borough councillors last night.

It follows more than three years of wrangling with contractors.

Borough council leader Peter Nutting said a final settlement of £8.5 million had been agreed with contractors Morgan Ashurst. Full payment is to be made within days.

The financial dispute at one point saw the council complain to fraud squad officers about alleged irregularities in the contract, althou- gh no investigation began.

The original budget was £6.9 million but rose to £7.6 million. Morgan Ashurst, previously Bluestone, had claimed for as much as £9.1 million. But Councillor Nutting said a final account figure had now been agreed.

He said: “On March 25 a final settlement sum of £8.5 million was agreed. It is wit- hin the budget agreed by full council on June 30, 2008.”

Councillor Nutting said lawyers had been instructed to draw up paperwork by the end of today, with payment expected on Monday.

He said: “This will draw to a close the construction phase of the Sports Village.”

Borough councillors have expressed dissatisfaction wi- th allegedly defective works at the centre, including problems with climbing wall ladders, cracks to the cycle track and leaks in the main sports hall roof.

There were also problems with boot-washing areas, pitch dividers, and heat panels above squash courts that trapped more than 70 balls within a month of it opening.

In 2006, leisure portfolio holder Councillor Charles Armstrong said he would not use the contractor again.