Council 'explores options' for new sports centre

A council will "explore options" to build a sports hall and related facilities on the site of an existing leisure centre.

Deepings Leisure Centre closed in July 2021 due to a faulty roof.

A local volunteer group attempted to raise £4m to refurbish it but has now conceded defeat.

Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, which owns the centre, said the authority hoped to reach an agreement to demolish it and "explore options to build a new sports hall, gym and studio on the site".

However, the latest plans do not include a swimming pool, which is what campaigners have been calling for.

South Kesteven District Council closed the centre and The Deepings Community Leisure Centre Community Interest Company was formed to try to raise the funds needed to refurbish it.

Independent councillor Virginia Moran, who is also a member of the group, said: "Despite our best efforts over many years, the funding just isn't there."

The county council has acknowledged the withdrawal of the group from the process but said it would continue to work with the landowners The Anthem Schools Trust.

The leisure centre is on land belonging to The Deepings School.

A spokesperson for the trust said it was "committed to finding a solution to providing permanent sports facilities for The Deepings School which will also be made available for use by the wider community".

They added: "While no definitive decisions have been made yet, we are drawing up a proposal to put in front of our trustees shortly and will then update the wider community."

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