South Kesteven District Council votes not to refurbish The Deepings Leisure Centre and withdraws management of Linchfield Road playing fields

A council has 'broken its promise' to reopen a town leisure centre with members voting to scrap refurbishment plans.

The Deepings Leisure Centre will not reopen because South Kesteven District Council says it can no longer afford the planned £10.7m refurbishment.

It has also decided to withdraw from the management of Linchfield Road playing fields, which are currently used by the rugby and football clubs, and by The Deepings School.

In a report the council blamed rising costs, further exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and soaring inflation.

After a lengthy debate at a meeting of the full council, plans to ditch the refurbishment received 27 votes.

Thirteen councillors voted to keep the leisure facilities open.

Lincolnshire County Council, which owns the building, will now need to decide on its future.

South Kesteven District Council said the county council refused to contribute to the refurbishment of Deepings Leisure Centre.

Full meeting report here.

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