Council set to partially reopen Lincoln leisure centres
Lincoln City Foundation will manage the outdoor leisure facilities
Two leisure centres, that suddenly closed in Lincoln last week, are now set to reopen.
Charity, Active Nation, announced the closure of the Yarborough and Birchwood centres last week (2 April).
Last night (10 April), City of Lincoln Council said outdoor facilities at both centres would reopen on a "phased basis" from this weekend.
Over the next three months, Lincoln City Foundation – the charitable arm of Lincoln City FC - will manage the outdoor leisure facilities at both centres on behalf of the council.
Members of the local authority's Executive will next week be asked to approve the start of the procurement process to find an interim operator for the indoor and outdoor leisure facilities at both sites for the next two years.
Simon Walters, Strategic Director of Communities and Environment at City of Lincoln Council, said:
“We’re incredibly pleased that we have been able to work with our partners at the Lincoln City Foundation to ensure that some of the outdoor facilities at Yarborough and Birchwood Leisure Centres can reopen as soon as possible.
“We understand how important these leisure facilities are to our local communities and share everyone’s concern regarding the sudden closures.
“Securing the Foundation for this first phase is a positive first step towards a full re-opening of the centres, and we’re committed to finding an interim operator to allow for the reopening of both the indoor facilities, as well as the full suite of outdoor facilities, in the coming months.
“We’d like to thank our residents and local clubs for their patience and understanding, and the Foundation for stepping up at such a difficult time.”
The Foundation will coordinate all bookings, keyholding, facilities management and maintenance on behalf of the council.
Martin Hickerton, chief executive of the Foundation, said:
“Everyone across Lincoln City Football Club is pleased to be playing a key role in reopening these vital grassroots spaces for the people in our local community.
“We feel a real sense of pride in our city and know what an important role physical activity plays in the lives of many of its residents - across the club and the Foundation we’re passionate about using our unique role in the city to maintain and increase access where we can.
“We’re pleased to work with the City of Lincoln Council on this step in the right direction, and we can’t wait to see people coming back and filling these spaces with activities once again as people get back into routines which mean so much to them.”