The Barclays Premier League trophy tour made two stops in Lincoln on April 7.

First it visited the Birchwood Leisure Centre between 1.30pm and 3.30pm, where people were able to have their photo taken with the trophy and take part in a football activity day.

It also stopped at Monks Abbey Park from 4pm until 6pm, alongside a family fun day for locals.

The trophy visited as part of Barclays’ national ‘thank you’ campaign, and will tour around the rest of the country.

The trophy tour stops at 15 Barclays spaces for sports sites over the Easter holidays.

North Kesteven Disctrict Council are beginning work on plans to refurbish the sports centre in North Hykeham.

The council’s Executive Board is advising the Full Council to approve the £2.5 million investment in the sports facility.

If endorsed, work would begin in October 2014, and funding would come from the New Homes Bonus scheme.

The refurb comes during the centre’s 40th anniversary, after the council decided it was not meeting customers’ standards, plus a large amount of repair needed to the site in the next five years.

As one of the major leisure centres in the Lincoln area, for both the public and schools, it was decided a major refurbishment was needed.

According to plans, £1 million will be spent on external building works, car parks, drainage and roofing, £200,000 on courts and changing rooms, over £1 million on electrical and mechanical fittings and £5,000 on structural alterations.

Improved changing rooms are high on the council's centre redevelopment list. Photo: NKDC

Improved changing rooms are high on the council’s centre redevelopment list. Photo: NKDC

In later phases, the cafe will be relocated to the ground floor and the gym moved to the first floor, synthetic turf pitches upgraded, the pool changing rooms converted to a changing village and adding extra activity studios.

Designs will be submitted for planning permission in July 2014.

Councillor Lindsey Cawrey, Executive Board Member with responsibility for leisure services, said: “Building on what we have achieved in the refurbishment of Sleaford, we are particularly keen to be investing in the north of the District as well.

“This anticipated project is fully in line with the council’s ongoing commitment to sports and leisure facilities across the district, which has supported a greater increase in sports participation in North Kesteven than anywhere else in the county.

“Now our emphasis is on upgrading the facilities we have to ensure they remain relevant, welcoming and of the highest possible standards,” she said.

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