Work to transform Spalding’s Castle Sports Complex is set to start in May
The first steps in transforming an ageing leisure centre into a modern health and wellbeing hub are due to get underway in the coming months.
The Castle Sports Complex in Spalding will be getting a £26million revamp into the South Holland Health and Wellbeing Hub after planning permission was granted earlier this year.
South Holland District Council - which received a £20million Levelling Up grant to complete the long-held ambition of upgrading the leisure centre - has announced that site surveying and preparation work is due begin in May.
Coun Gary Taylor, the council’s project sponsor, said: "It is fantastic to see this transformational project taking shape, bringing high-quality leisure, exercise, sport and wellbeing facilities to South Holland and bucking the national trend.
“With works beginning soon, we are taking a major step forward in delivering something that will benefit the whole community for generations to come, and I can’t wait to see construction taking place.
“We will keep residents informed of the progress made and will share more updates as we move towards construction and completion of this brilliant new centre."
The first phase of the project will involve the creation of a single building containing two new swimming pools, village changing facilities, multi-sport hall, fitness suite, cycle and group exercise studios, health and wellbeing consultation rooms, children's adventure play area and updated reception and servery areas.
Around the rest of the site, it will see the creation of a new outdoor 3G pitch, park run circuit, community garden, running loop, additional cycling provision and improved car parking with electric vehicle charging points, along with necessary remedial works to the bowls hall.
The council says that external work will get underway once a contractor has been appointed but is hoping to minimise disruption to centre users during the summer months.
Closure of the dry side is now expected to be in late August to allow the main construction works to begin, with the swimming pool facilities remaining open throughout.
Temporary fitness suite and group exercise facilities will be available from this point at the Spalding Campus of Boston College on Red Lion Street, along with the council arranging temporary facilities for indoor bowls activity to continue in Long Sutton.
These plans would target the completion of construction in late 2026, with the new combined state-of-the-art centre opening to the public in January 2027.
What do you think? Post a comment below…
