Plans approved for new dry leisure centre

A new multi-million pound, dry leisure centre is a step closer to reality after it was granted planning permission earlier this week.

The centre in Gainsborough Road, Market Rasen, will include Health and fitness facilities, four court indoor sports hall, 3G outdoor pitch, changing facilities and a café.

Work is set to start this Spring, with the new centre expected to open by May 2020.

The facility which will have the capacity to cater for 183,000 people annually, is part of the council’s £7.8 million investment to improve the health of people in the area.

Latest figures show worryingly high levels of overweight people across West Lindsey. Meanwhile, hospital admissions for Type 2 diabetes in the district top the county chart – with worrying levels in Market Rasen and Middle Rasen, as well as in Gainsborough South-East, Scampton and Cherry Willingham. There are also 1,100 registered dementia sufferers in the district.

Councillor Sheila Bibb, chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee at the council, welcomed the news.

She said: “I am thrilled that the planning application has been approved. Health and wellbeing is a key priority for the council – especially when we discovered that 80 per cent of people in our district, do not currently have ready access to any leisure facilities – or currently do not attend them, which is why the council has pledged to invest in leisure facilities.

“We see how our population is due to grow and that we must look at how we best serve the needs of our people both now and in the future.

“It now means we are able to offer more opportunities for all those who enjoy living in West Lindsey to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”