March 3, 2014 4.36 pm This story is over 120 months old

Lincoln divers petition against leisure centre revamp

Leisure centre refurb: Plans to re-design Yarborough Leisure Centre could leave a resident diving club with nowhere to train.

Yarborough Leisure Centre, Active Nation swimming pool.

Plans to re-design Yarborough Leisure Centre in Lincoln have upset a diving club, which would be forced to dissolve should proposals go forward.

The City of Lincoln Council, who would finance the works, plans to turn the current learner pool into gym space and the diving facilities demolished.

The pools current diving section, which was built in the 1970s, would then become a new learning pool.

Other activities such as the evening lane swimming would also be reviewed.

Photo: Yarborough Leisure Centre

Photo: Yarborough Leisure Centre

Plans have been put forward for approval to Active Nation, who run the facility.

Active Nation recently conducted a survey which outlined members’ wishes for more fitness space and equipment.

Lincoln’s diving club The Imps have set up a petition, stressing that they are not opposed to the expansion of much needed gym facilities, but question how the plans would affect swimmers.

Photo: Yarborough Leisure Centre

Photo: Yarborough Leisure Centre

Chris Ray from The Imps diving club said: “This is the last set of the 1 metre and 3 metre diving facilities in Lincolnshire that can accommodate a diving club with competition training.”

One diver, who signed the petition, said: “As a family my girlfriend and I take our boy swimming here.

“I grew up on these boards and learnt to dive from my father, I would relish the opportunity to do the same for my son!”

Simon Colburn, Assistant Director for Health and Environmental Services at the City Council, said: “It is more important than ever to ensure that we deliver value for money for both the council and the users of Yarborough and Birchwood Leisure Centres, and that Active Nation deliver the type of facilities that our customers want.

“Altering the layout of the swimming pool area and could result in a reduction in pool water space which may affect some types of aquatic activity.

“The reality is that the demand for gym and group activity space is considerable and one that our customers want, expect us to get right and at a value for money price.

“We appreciate that the loss of the diving pool would mean that the nearest alternative locations would be Grimsby, Spalding and Nottingham and we would naturally ensure that the necessary consultation is carried out before we move forward with any proposals.”