Town centre swimming pool dream

Artist’s impressions of a multi-million-pound project to revolutionise leisure provision for residents across the district were unveiled today by South Kesteven District Council Leader, Councillor Matthew Lee.

Two new ultra-modern leisure centres for Stamford and Market Deeping are planned, together with a complete remodel and refurbishment of Bourne Leisure Centre, and major improvements to leisure facilities in Grantham which could see some aspects, such as the swimming pool, brought back into the town centre as part of the Council’s wider regeneration plans.

The Council wants all four leisure centres to be community hubs for health and leisure, providing services such as physiotherapy, GP referrals, and stop smoking programmes, as well as housing state-of-the-art facilities tailored to each town and the surrounding areas.

The investment fulfils a commitment made by Councillor Lee to transform leisure facilities across South Kesteven, including the provision of activities in rural communities through outreach programmes run by the centres in its market towns.

Councillor Lee said: “We want to provide first class leisure centres for our residents, community hubs where families and friends can relax and enjoy a range of activities that bring the benefits of exercise, from physical and mental wellbeing, to achieving goals to help development.

 “I want our leisure centres to go beyond gyms and studio classes. As important as these are, I want to provide facilities that become community hubs, with something for everyone, and a focus on overall health and well-being. That includes providing activities in our rural communities.”

 “The current leisure centres in South Kesteven’s four market towns have received basic maintenance, but there hasn’t been any major investment for decades and little, if any, outreach provision in rural communities. This is something I am determined to change, providing modern facilities for current and future generations that meet the needs of changing communities.”

Detailed feasibility studies have been carried out to assess the current condition of all existing buildings, their current usage, and potential locations for the new leisure centres. To maintain the existing buildings, to keep them going for about ten years, would cost millions of pounds and not offer any opportunity for revenue generation nor provide facilities to meet current or future needs.

The Grantham  Meres Leisure Centre, built in 1998, has wet and dry facilities. It replaced one in Union Street, bulldozed to make way for Asda superstore, which in turn had replaced outdoor pools in the two parks.

    In 2015, £600,000 was spent on upgrading some areas. There is an issue of high levels of humidity and the general appearance of the facility is dated and does not offer the most efficient use of space.

The Council is considering bringing wet leisure facilities back into the town centre, but leaving the stadium, pitches and car parking at the Meres site, as part of a wider regeneration programme centred around Grantham town centre.

SKDC wants to make Grantham a leisure destination and a town centre people can be proud of. The Council is considering options to bring high quality indoor leisure facilities back into the town centre, linking with High Street businesses, the new cinema complex and a revitalised cultural quarter.

A high-quality leisure and events offer in the heart of Grantham could deliver significant economic growth, attracting residents, shoppers and visitors throughout the daytime and into the evening.

The Council has identified potential sites for the new leisure centres in Stamford and Market Deeping and talks with those landowners are underway.

The proposal for Bourne Leisure Centre includes a £5million remodel and refurbishment which would double the size of the gym, create more studios, and provide better café facilities.

The Council’s recently appointed sports development officer, Dominic Fieldhouse, will be delivering a new sports strategy through the Council’s economic and regeneration company, InvestSK.