All the Lincolnshire Levelling Up Fund bids announced so far

Bids to secure millions of pounds for Lincolnshire sports facilities and town centres are to be submitted to government.

Two councils have already confirmed they are putting in ambitious applications.

The second round of Levelling Up Funding aims to deliver infrastructure which can improve residents lives and give pride in their communities.

Councils have until July 6 to get their bids in, with the government expected to announce the outcomes in the autumn.

South Holland District Council and Boston Borough Council have released details of the improvements they want to make if awarded the money.

Details on East Lindsey’s bid are expected to be announced later this week, and North Kesteven District Council has confirmed that it won’t be submitting one for this round.

South Holland – £20m sports centre upgrade

The Castle Swimming Pool, Spalding. Photo: Google Street View

Castle Sports Complex could receive three brand new pool facilities. The major investment would remodel the Spalding site, with a new swimming facility that includes a six-lane 25 metre pool.

There would also be a new larger teaching pool suitable for learners, family swimming, physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

South Holland District Council hope the bid would also cover a splash pad for younger children and families with water fountains.

Councillor Nick Worth, deputy leader and portfolio holder for people, places, economy, said: “The quality and variety of our swimming facilities in the district is a topic that is regularly raised with us by residents and local community groups, and I hope people would agree that these plans provide a potential opportunity to make a really exciting step forward in this offer.

“We know how important it is for our residents that they are able to access desirable leisure facilities, both for health and wellbeing purposes and for fun and recreation.

“If we are successful in this bid, we will not only be able to positively transform this provision, but will also open up capital funding that we would otherwise have spent on the Castle site to make significant investment and improvements across the rest of South Holland.”

Boston – £20m town centre rejuvenation

An artist’s impression of Boston’s PE21 Town Centre Regeneration project.

A large brownfield site known as PE21 would be the focus of a major effort to improve Boston town centre.

The public space would be improved while adjacent sites would be re-developed into commercial, residential or other uses.

Boston Borough Council says the proposal would make use the government funding as a “catalyst for change”, bringing together public and private sector investment.

The council is working with its partners to prepare its submission for the town.

It was unsuccessful in bidding for funding for the 10-acre site in the first round.

Councillor Nigel Welton, Boston Borough Council Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, said: “This bid is all about delivering long lasting and meaningful change for our town centre.

“The PE21 ambition aligns with the government’s Levelling Up ambition, with the proposals designed to help ensure that our town centre is transformed and revitalised making it sustainable, vibrant, and attractive.

“Whilst part of a competitive process which will see us competing with other areas up and down the country, I’m delighted this bid is being put together as we want to ensure that Boston is a prosperous place to live, work and visit and this bid can help us do exactly that – creating a town centre that is set for the future and attractive to residents, visitors, and business alike.”