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Leisure centre refits nearing 'ambitious' target

Grace McGrory
BBC News
BBC A woman smiles as she stands in a gym. She has ginger hair and wears a pink top, darker blazer and silver necklace with moon crescent. In the background, men assemble fitness equipment. BBC
Council leader Naomi Tweddle says new fitness equipment will be "top-notch"

Two leisure centres in Lincoln are on course to reopen in time for the school summer holidays, a council leader has said, following what she described as "amazing" refits.

Yarborough and Birchwood leisure centres closed suddenly on 3 April after Active Nation, the charity that ran them, ceased trading.

Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) was appointed by the City of Lincoln Council in May as an interim operator for a period of two years.

Council leader Naomi Tweddle said: "It's a really ambitious date, but we are trying to stick to it. It's imperative that we get people back in the leisure centres."

A row of brand new black fitness machines in a gym. To the forefront are four elliptical machines, behind are eight treadmills. There are also various other machines, with large TV screens on the walls.
The equipment at Yarborough and Birchwood leisure centres has been replaced

She added: "I've always thought the leisure centres were important, but I think a spotlight was really shone on that when they were closed.

"I'm just delighted that, fingers crossed, they will be open very soon.

"They're going to be amazing, they've had a complete refit."

The council said the refurbishment would include new fitness equipment and showers, a refit of the changing rooms and new flooring.

An array of weight machines in a gym. The machines are black and yellow. Some are being assembled by men. There are a mirrors on the wall and tools on the floor.
Tweddle says work has been going on for several weeks "at a really fast pace"

Chris Ord, partnership manager at GLL, said people would be able to register their interest online for a membership, though the costs were yet to be finalised.

"We see Yarborough and Birchwood as great opportunities – they're really good centres in the heart of Lincoln and we need to make sure we bring them back to life and get them back used by the community," he said.

The organisation was still looking to recruit more lifeguards and fitness instructors, Mr Ord added.

Lincolnshire schools are due to break up for summer on 23 July.

At the time of the leisure centre closures, Active Nation, a charity based in Warwickshire, blamed "the ongoing utility crisis and the challenges it has created" for the decision to cease trading.

The council said it had offered the charity a support package of almost £500,000 over two years, with conditions attached, but this had not been taken up.

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