Deepings Leisure Centre could be run by the community

Residents and business leaders are hoping to take the future of a town’s leisure centre into their own hands.

A leaky roof closed Deepings Leisure Centre in July 2021 and plans to refurbish it at a cost of £10million were scrapped in November last year because they were deemed too expensive by South Kesteven District Council.

Plans and funding for a 3G football pitch on the nearby playing field were also scrapped.

The setting of the council's budget for 2023-4 has generated a new wave of disquiet in the Deepings, with some elected representatives critical of how money will be spent.

Coun Virginia Moran (AllianceSK - Market and West Deeping) said she had read through the budget from cover to cover.

“It’s rapidly getting to the stage where the Deepings may as well pull up the drawbridge and empty their own bins because we’re getting nothing, as usual, nothing whatsoever,” she said.

“We don’t benefit from any contribution whatsoever to arts and culture, we have no arts centre like everybody else does and no leisure facilities – yet we’re still expected to pay for facilities elsewhere in the district.”

South Kesteven district councillors approved their 2023/24 budget this week, including a £5 tax rise for band D properties.

Deepings members were particularly angered by a £500,000 fund for LeisureSK when the area had suffered the loss of its facilities.

Coun Moran revealed at a budget meeting on Monday (January 9) that the AllianceSK Group on the council had been leading “a large group of residents” in pursuing their own plans.

They are looking to set up a charitable community trust to access grant funding and have already spoken to Lincolnshire County Council, which owns the building, to gain access to assess the site and come up with a business plan.

The group has attracted several trustees, including a chartered quantity surveyor, a hotel renovator, a lead campaigner, and the chairman of the Deepings Business Club.

Coun Moran told the council to expect an approach for financial assistance.

“If we’re prepared to shell out half a million pounds on Stamford Arts Centre, dedicate a whole government High Street fund to Grantham, and do extensive maintenance in Bourne, then the Deepings deserves something, even if we do it ourselves,” she told councillors.

Following the meeting she said: “We’re not talking bells and whistles, we’re looking at getting the roof repaired, new heating system and getting the hall opened for the school to do PE and exams.”

She said if costs were around £3million it would be out of reach, but that if they could be brought down to £1.2million to 1.3million it was “potentially doable”.

The group will be looking to raise money from the public and local businesses.

Speaking about the half-a-million pounds in the budget for LeisureSK, Coun Ashley Baxter (AllianceSK - Market and West Deeping) said: “There’s going to be a lot of head-scratching in my ward as to why we should be paying a share of £500,000 for a company that doesn’t provide any services in the Deepings now.”

Coun Phil Dilks (AllianceSK - Deeping St James) called it a “further betrayal” and “further blow” to the area.

Deputy leader of the council Adam Stokes (Con - Grantham Springfield) told councillors a financial plan would be needed to have any discussion regarding funding for the Deepings Leisure Centre.

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