A new £25m leisure complex being developed in Harlow, Essex, will not be completed until mid-to-late April after the contractor delivering the scheme reported further delays.

Forming part of the wider Harlow Gateway regeneration project, the Harlow Leisurezone was initially due to be handed over to Gateway partners by Christmas 2009 but is now not set to open until May. An issue with the installation of fire dampers meant Abingdon-based developer Leadbitter pushed back the "practical completion" of the leisure centre until late February 2010.

However, further delays have been reported to the Gateway partners and will mean that construction work will not be completed until later this month, ahead of a four-week fit out period. In a joint statement, Harlow Council's three group leaders - Andrew Johnson, Mark Wilkinson and Chris Millington, said: "These delays are out of the partners' hands and we have asked that once again our disappointment is registered with the contractors."

When complete, the complex will feature a 25m swimming pool with seating for 300 spectators, a learner pool, a sports hall built to national club standard for badminton, basketball and trampolining and an indoor tennis hall. A gym, three fitness studios, four squash courts and a health spa will also on offer at the Leisurezone, as well as a lounge bar/restaurant, a daycare nursery and a café.

The Harlow Gateway Partnership, which is behind the development, is made up of Harlow Council, Harlow and District Sports Trust, English Partnerships and the Department for Communities and Local Government. Harlow Town Football Club, the East of England Development Agency, Mark Hall School, Harlow College and Science Alive are also supporting the £50m regeneration scheme.