Residents get chance to explore plans to revamp the Spalding Castle Sports Complex and create a wellbeing hub

Residents were able to get a first taste of what a revamped leisure centre could look like in the run-up to the submission of a planning application.

Spalding’s ageing Castle Sports Complex will be getting a £26million make-over thanks to a Levelling Up grant which will include two new pools, a multi-games area, new fitness suite along with facilities to help less active people get moving.

Another key element of the plan is the health and wellbeing hub which will provide consultation rooms and because the centre has long opening hours it will also be a place for people to go to if they need support. The new leisure centre is due to be open in summer 2026.

South Holland District Council and its contractors are introducing people in the area to the plans during six consultation events prior to the application being submitted in May – with the first held in Spalding, Holbeach and Crowland.

Diggers were seen moving onto the sports field on Thursday to undertake preparation work – which has so far not revealed the location of the lost Spalding Castle.

The man leading the project is portfolio holder Gary Taylor is says nearly 4,000 people have viewed the plans, which are also available online, so far.

He said: “It has been fantastic to hear such a great, considered response from residents and neighbours across South Holland when I have attended the consultation events so far.

“Almost 4,000 people have already viewed the proposals for this transformational £26 million project on the website, with hundreds more taking the time to complete the online form and visit the exhibitions and drop-ins to share their thoughts with the project team.”

Consultation boards on show during the consultation event on Thursday show that there will be major changes to the dryside building, which is off Albion Street.

While the indoor bowls rink will remain, the rest of the building will be completely reconfigured with an extension added onto to house the two new swimming pools and an outdoor splash pad.

Currently, Spalding pool has 505sqm of water space but the two new pools will provide 585sqm with a focus on helping children and adults to learn to swim.

The new six lane pool (25mx12.5m) is going to have one level depth, different to the current pool which has a shallow and deep end, with a floating floor to help learner swimmers.

The second pool, a training pool, will be much bigger than the existing ‘baby’ pool and will offer more flexible use so swimmers will still be able to exercise when the larger one is being used.

A communal changing area with cubicles is included within the plans along with group changing areas. There will be no more open plan showers as cubicles will be added.

Big changes are also planned in how the remainder of the dryside building. It will include a four court sports hall and an activity zone for toddlers is going to be incorporated along with an assisted exercise suite.

This facility will include more supportive equipment to help people who are less mobile to get fit but it will also aid those who are recovering from operations or undergoing rehab.

A health and wellbeing area will include a number of consultation rooms and a community health office and the reception is going to be moved.

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While the first floor will include a fitness suite incorporating cardio, strength and stretch zones plus two studios and an ‘immersive cycling studio’.

The existing pool building will be demolished to make way for an extra care housing scheme – but the council will not be undertaking this side of the scheme.

Coun Taylor said: "There’s still plenty of time before Friday, April 5, to feedback and help refine the designs for this landmark development, and I would encourage everyone to take the chance to do so, whether online or at our remaining in-person events.”

A further consultation session will be held at the Spring Into Spalding event on Saturday, March 30, and the final event will be held at Long Sutton Market on Friday, April 5.

If you can’t get to the remaining consultations, the plans can be views online at the South Holland Levelling Up website. To view click here.

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