May 10, 2019 3.14 pm This story is over 58 months old

Work begins on £6.3m Market Rasen leisure centre

It will open in late Spring 2020
Work has begun on a new £6.3million leisure centre in Market Rasen. Photo: West Lindsey District Council

Work has begun on a new £6.3 million leisure centre in Market Rasen which will open next Spring.

The new centre, due to open in late Spring 2020, will include a 3G pitch, multi-use fitness studios, dance studio, a four court sports hall, a 40-station gym, changing facilities and a meeting room/party hosting area.

Morgan Sindall Construction is working on the centre on Gainsborough Road, which will be set over two storeys and was designed by CPMG Architects.

When the plans were first announced in June 2018, campaigners immediately spoke up to say a swimming pool was a “higher priority”.

Market Rasen Action Group lodged a 2,000 signature petition to West Lindsey District Council, calling on the authority to look again at building a swimming pool in the town.

However, the petition was rejected by councillors in November 2018 after West Lindsey District Council leader, Jeff Summers, said the proposal for a pool would require “significant subsidy”.

Approval was given for the leisure centre (without pool) in February 2019.

The development has been made possible due to the council retendering its existing leisure contract. The new contract began on June 1, 2018 and, along with an investment of £7.8 million, it has extended the council’s leisure provision across the district.

Once the centre is open the council’s leisure partner Everyone Active will manage the facility.

Councillor Summers said: “Today signals the start of work on our new dry leisure facility, something I am personally pleased to see taking place.

“It demonstrates the confidence the district council has in the town and in this development as it has put in considerable investment into the facility. It is the most significant investment in the town for many years and forms the beginning of a new initiative to energise the economy for Market Rasen.

“I hope you will all make use of this fantastic facility, which will open up the opportunities for people of all ages, once the build is complete.”

To celebrate the start of the work councillor Summer and the newly elected ward councillors from Market Rasen welcomed representatives from Everyone Active and contractors Morgan Sindall to the site. Market Rasen Town Mayor, Councillor John Matthews, also attended the event.