Council to Fund Deepings Leisure Centre Demolition via School Trust

The council has a plan for the closed leisure center. They want to end the stalemate, and funding will go to a school trust. This is likely for demolition of the center.

The Deepings Leisure Centre CIC made an announcement that they are done trying to reopen it. This facility sits on Park Road, and Lincolnshire County Council quickly revealed demolition plans.

Martin Hill leads the Conservative council and wants to break the deadlock. The issue has dragged on since 2021. He wants new community leisure options in Deepings.

He said they were very patient and hoped parties would reach an agreement. The council owns the building. They cannot let it decay any longer, as it is unsafe for Deepings residents.

The Deeping St James center shut in August 2021. A leaky roof caused safety concerns, and it has been empty since then.

South Kesteven Council planned renovations but then dropped the 10.7 million plan. They gave the lease back to Lincolnshire, and the county put it up for sale.

The CIC made an offer to buy it and had £850,000 in promised support. Both councils were going to help, but a government funding program closed, severely hurting the project. A solution with The Anthem Trust appeared, but the parties could not agree.

Hill stated the £850,000 is still available and they are starting the first phase now. The council plans to lease to Anthem Trust and will give them the money. This will fund leisure center demolition at their request.

The academy wants a new sports hall, and it needs a gym plus a studio there. There will be no swimming pool.

The Anthem Trust released a statement that they will provide permanent facilities. The public can use these sports spaces.