Councillors give the green light for first phase of Castle Sports Centre redevelopment works

Councillors from South Holland District Council have given the final go-ahead for the redevelopment of the Castle Sports Centre site in Spalding - a once-in-a-generation investment in the health, leisure and wellbeing of residents and local communities.

Following the approval, the first phase of the £28.3million project will now move forward at pace, with a further set of external works scheduled to begin in late August. The main construction phase is expected to start in September, with a public opening for the new facilities in January 2027.

The project is receiving £20 million in UK Government funding alongside further investment from South Holland District Council. Councillors also agreed to invest an additional £2.83million for the delivery of the scheme, ensuring the facilities proposed in 2022 can still be delivered despite the rising costs and impacts of inflation, the cost-of-living crisis, global conflicts, and construction market tariffs over the past three years.

The improved centre will provide a modern and inclusive mix of indoor and outdoor facilities, designed to support residents of all ages to live healthier, more active lives, enabling the council, with its partners, to address current and future community health challenges in the district.

The first phase of works will include the creation of a single building containing two new swimming pools, village changing facilities, multi-sport hall, fitness suite, cycle and group exercise studios, health and wellbeing consultation rooms, a children’s adventure play area and updated reception and café-type areas. Outdoor works will see a new 3G pitch installed, alongside an outdoor running and cycling circuit and community garden.

Later phases will address the demolition of the existing swimming pool building, and the addition of a new outdoor multi-use games area, new children’s play area, splashpad, and additional car parking for the site.

The transformation will significantly widen the range of fitness, sports and social opportunities available for residents to access, and will aim to address some of the key health inequalities and challenges faced in South Holland, where obesity and physical activity outcomes among adults and children are significantly poorer than the national average.

While the current ‘dry side’ section of the centre is redeveloped temporary fitness suite and group exercise facilities will be available at the Spalding Campus of Boston College on Red Lion Street. The Council is also arranging temporary facilities for indoor bowls activity to continue in Long Sutton. Swimming facilities will remain operational and available throughout works.

Councillor Gary Taylor, South Holland District Council’s project sponsor, said: “I’m delighted that we can deliver this bold and ambitious project for the people of South Holland, and bring the high-quality leisure, sport, and wellbeing facilities that our district so badly needs - now and for many generations to come.

“This redevelopment is about empowering and encouraging our residents to live healthier, more active lives together, and I can think of no better or more impactful way to invest in our future. This project can be a catalyst for real, lasting change, and I can’t wait to see the next stage of these exciting plans get underway.”

Councillor Nick Worth, leader of South Holland District Council, said: "Opportunities for investment of this size and ambition are not historically common for places like Lincolnshire, and I am proud of the work we have done to secure this funding and now to take another serious step towards making it a reality. As a result of the government funding, local taxpayers are effectively getting a brand new facility for just £8million, which is really good value for money."

“This is about more than bricks and mortar - it’s about investing in the future of South Holland and giving everyone in our district the chance to thrive physically, mentally and socially. Part of our vision of a greater Lincolnshire for all is about working closely with our health partners to deliver better outcomes and to provide better, more accessible services to our residents of all ages and circumstances, and this project shows those pledges in action.”

For more information and updates on the project, visit: https://southhollandlevellingup.co.uk.