April 24, 2017 11.07 am This story is over 83 months old

Decision due on £1m Birchwood Leisure Centre revamp

The City of Lincoln Council Executive will today make a decision on plans for a £1 million refurbishment of Birchwood Leisure Centre. As reported previously, the council plans to begin work at the centre straight away, creating a new children’s soft play area, climbing wall and state-of-the-art spin studio. Work would be completed in time…
The proposals for the refurbishment of Birchwood Leisure Centre

The City of Lincoln Council Executive will today make a decision on plans for a £1 million refurbishment of Birchwood Leisure Centre.

As reported previously, the council plans to begin work at the centre straight away, creating a new children’s soft play area, climbing wall and state-of-the-art spin studio.

Work would be completed in time for summer 2017.

Petition signed by over 450

The project has been met with a degree of criticism from a number of local residents, centring around the loss of the Birchwood Social Club in order for the gym to be expanded.

Some 453 people signed a petition entitled ‘Save Birchwood Social Club’, which will be presented before the council at the meeting on Monday, April 24.

A covering letter on the petition stated the social club is the last place on the Birchwood estate with a purpose built function room and a licensed bar.

Club members also stated in the petition: “We believe this is a much needed asset for the community which should not be lost.”

New facilities would also be constructed in place of the current squash court and sports hall.

‘Something or everyone’

Simon Walters, Strategic Director for Communities and Environment at the city council, said previously: “This is a really exciting development that will provide a fantastic facility for the city, offering something for everyone all under one roof.

“This would be a significant investment by the city council to bring health benefits and opportunities to people in the city.

“In addition, by modernising the leisure centre we can reduce the fee paid to Active Nation to manage the centre, creating savings for the council and taxpayer over the longer term.”

A decision on the plans will be made at the meeting this evening.