Deepings centre could be demolished as council considers options

A council will “explore its options” to build a new sports hall and other facilities on the site of Deepings Leisure Centre in Deeping St James, Lincolnshire. The centre was forced to close in July 2021 due to a faulty roof. Since then, a Deepings Community Leisure Centre Community Interest Company (CIC) was formed, which attempted to try to raise the funds needed to refurbish it.

The group, however, had to accept defeat as it couldn’t raise the required sum, estimated to be around £4m.

Deepings Leisure Centre is owned by Lincolnshire County Council.

Councillor Martin Hill said the council would now seek the best way forward – but added that the likely outcome would now be to demolish the centre and build a new one.

“Last year, the Deepings Leisure Centre CIC and Anthem Trust made it clear to the county council that the cheapest way to bring the site back into use was for us to demolish the current building and allow them to explore options to build a new centre,” he said.

“After many years of fruitless conversations since the leisure centre was closed in 2021, Lincolnshire County Council is keen to break the deadlock on this situation and start the ball rolling on plans to bring community leisure facilities back to the Deepings.

“After another disappointing meeting of all the partners involved in the project this week, it is clear that these conversations are no further on around the future use of the site as a new leisure facility that both the community and the school can benefit from. The county council has been very patient throughout this process and provided a number of extensions in the hopes that the parties involved would come to an arrangement.

“However, as the owners of the building, we cannot allow it to deteriorate indefinitely without action; it would be unsafe and does a disservice to the residents of the Deepings.”