Protesters, including paralympian Rob Welbourn, fight against South Kesteven District Council's plans to close Deepings Leisure Centre
A demonstration against the closure of a leisure centre, gained the support of the community, councillors and a paralympian.
On August 6, South Kesteven District Council announced that the Deepings Leisure Centre, which closed just over two weeks ago because of a leaky roof, might never reopen.
The cost of fixing 47-year-old Deepings Leisure Centre will run to £1.2m according to a new report.
Both South Kesteven District Council, which has managed the facility since the 1970s, and Lincolnshire County Council, which owns the building, agree it doesn't make financial sense for it to undergo the repairs.
Left concerned by this, the community has rallied to fight for the leisure centre to remain open,
Ian Stygall, a self-employed electrician, organised a protest in Market Deeping on Saturday (August 14) and put up a banner on The Deepings Stage in a bid to prove how valued the leisure centre is to the community
He said: "Considering the short amount of time we had to organise it, I think it went really well.
"I didn't get the confirmation for the banner until Friday lunch time by which time I tried to get the troops rallied.
"We had a very good turnout - the local support is obviously large."
Independent councillors Phil Dilks, Ashley Baxter and Virginia Moran - who have created a petition to keep the leisure centre open - attended the event to speak to protesters.
Two-time Paralympic gold medallist, Rob Welbourn, who began his career at Deepings Swimming Club also attended the protest to show his support.
"He trained with us at Deeping Swimming Club, he wouldn't be where he is today without the club," said Ian.
"He travelled all the way from Wales on Friday to be here and show his support - that's how much it meant to him."
Many young and ambitious swimmers spoke at the protest about what the leisure centre means to them and members of the public who use the gym facilities held placards opposing the closure.
Ian said: "This isn't just about all seven local schools that use the facilities to learn to swim, it's about normal everyday people too.
"Me, or people's mums and dads, who sit in an office and are probably quite body conscious.
"To use public facilities, for them, is better than going down to a private gym."