THE SALE of York's Barbican Centre is likely to close the city's sports hall.

Developers' bids suggest that the site will not include existing facilities, such as four badminton courts, an indoor climbing wall and space for five-a-side-football.

It is also likely that the bowling green and coach park will not be part of future plans for the site, which are expected to include demolishing the existing building and replacing it in part with housing.

The auditorium, York's biggest public entertainment venue which recently hosted the UK Snooker Championships, is also not included in most of the 11 bids received for the site.

But it is expected the successful bidder will need to guarantee that it is incorporated in plans. Swimming provision also must remain.

City of York Council members are expected to attempt to agree that facilities left out of plans should be moved to different locations.

John Urwin, City of York Council's property consultant, said: "The indications are that developers are unlikely to include a sports hall in their preferred scheme."

But he said one of the council's objectives is to increase sport provision in the city.

"It is therefore recommended to use some of the capital receipt to pursue alternative venues for these important facilities, either on a new city centre site such as the new Hungate development, or through the enhancement of existing facilities, such as school sites."

He said Kent Street coach park was an essential and well-used feature of the city. In the long term, it could be moved to a park and ride site.

But, he said: "In the short term, if a coach park is not part of the redevelopment option, there will be a need to identify a coach park facility in the city centre."

A meeting with representatives of the bowling association which plays at the Barbican site, is expected to be arranged in the near future to discuss moving the green to a different site.

The Barbican was put up for sale in July last year after City of York Council announced it could not afford to continue funding it.

But councillors told developers their bids must include provision for public swimming after an outcry, led by the Evening Press Save Our Swim campaign, over plans to close the pool.

Councillors will meet on Friday to discuss the 11 received bids. They are expected to cut them down to five, which will then be re-submitted in more detail.

Updated: 10:43 Tuesday, January 08, 2002