Community group hopes to take over Deepings Leisure Centre
There's concern it will be demolished
Last updated 9th Jul 2023
A third party hoping to takeover the Deepings Leisure Centre tell us they're "delighted" it won't be automatically demolished.
It's been closed since 2021 and councillors voted to scrap unaffordable repairs last year, but now outside investors are being given the chance to step in before it's knocked down.
Council leaders are eager to see a decision on the site by the summer term of 2024 – around April – though have acknowledged that timelines could change.
They recently gave the go-ahead to allow a third-party takeover of the site, which has been closed since 2021 due to health and safety concerns.
A community group is hoping to put in their own bid by September.
Virginia Moran is the chair of the Deepings Leisure Centre Community Group bidding to renovate the popular facility.
"The value of the centre reopening doesn't just apply to people in Market Deeping and Deeping St James but also the numerous rural villages who use it."
"It's been a real bitter blow - we had at one time I think it was 9 junior schools who were all using the centre.
Virginia says money's being set aside for a number of improvements..
"That includes new roofs, a new central heating system, a new filtration system, there'll new ceilings, there'll be a large gym with a mezzanine floor over it...we're also going to create a soft play area which there's a need for in the community"
If a new owner doesn’t materialise, the leisure centre faces demolition.
South Kesteven District Council had previously abandoned a £10million renovation plan for the centre in November 2022, passing the site back to Lincolnshire County Council.
Councillor Phil Dilks told LCC’s Overview and Scrutiny Management meeting on Thursday: “It would be an act of vandalism to demolish the building, particularly at the cost of this council, without exploring all viable possibilities to actually give it a life.”
“The effects on the local community have been real and brutal,” she said.
The decision will now go before the Lincolnshire County Council Executive for further consideration.