In a positive development for local sports and leisure, more than £300,000 is set to be invested in upgrading changing rooms at four key facilities in Lincolnshire. According to Lincolnshire Live, the funding will enhance the Bourne Leisure Centre, Stamford Leisure Pool, Grantham Meres Leisure Centre, and South Kesteven Sports Stadium.
The South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) cabinet recently awarded a contract worth £321,222 to Northdown Property Services Limited. This six-month contract, which may be extended for another six months if necessary, will focus on essential refurbishments across the centres.
The breakdown of the investment includes £80,829 for Bourne Leisure Centre, £72,032 for Stamford Leisure Pool, £92,962 for Grantham Meres Leisure Centre, and £75,399 for South Kesteven Sports Stadium. The improvements will encompass a range of upgrades such as servicing and repairing changing cubicles, replacing ceiling tiles and grids, upgrading lighting, and installing new doors, taps, mirrors, and dispenser units.
At a recent meeting, Paul Stokes, the deputy leader of SKDC, emphasized the importance of investing in these leisure facilities to enhance customer experience. He noted that a leisure investment reserve has been established to support such initiatives. The council previously allocated £500,000 for the first phase of this refurbishment programme, aimed at selectively upgrading changing room facilities across all centres.
While the council has indicated that there may be some disruption during the refurbishment process, they are committed to minimizing the impact on users. The improvements are part of a larger £1 million budget dedicated to upgrading equipment and changing rooms at these facilities, with plans for a second phase of funding also in place.
Interestingly, the current phase of improvements has come in under budget, allowing the council to carry forward £162,778 into the second phase of upgrades, which will be scheduled for a later date. However, Richard Wyles, the deputy chief executive, cautioned that this amount could be adjusted if any additional issues arise during the ongoing works.
With the contractor on site, there may be opportunities to address further necessary repairs that were not initially identified, streamlining the process and avoiding delays in future phases.
As these upgrades take shape, community members can look forward to improved facilities that enhance their leisure and sporting experiences.
What are your thoughts on the upgrades? How do you think they will impact your experience at these leisure centres?