Pool to close over summer for changing room revamp

A leisure centre pool will be closed over the summer while improvements are carried out, officials have said.

Last week, South Kesteven District Council announced plans to spend more than £300,000 on upgrading the changing rooms at three leisure centres and a sports stadium in the district, including Grantham Meres Leisure Centre.

At a meeting on Tuesday, the authority's deputy leader, councillor Paul Stokes, said that while every effort had been made to minimise disruption, the pool in Grantham would have to close "for a short period of time".

The refurbishment scheme also includes Bourne Leisure Centre, Stamford Leisure Pool, and South Kesteven Sports Stadium.

Stokes told the council's culture and leisure scrutiny committee the closure was unavoidable.

"It does look as though we can get through Bourne and Stamford satisfactorily, but unfortunately, because of the layout, there will be a closure of sorts at the Meres."

It was likely to be in place during the summer term – meaning lessons could be affected, he said.

"We are working closely with SK Leisure and we will obviously keep that closure to the absolute minimum," he added.

Councillor Gareth Knight questioned the decision, adding: "There must be a solution here, even if it's just a few screens."

However, Michael Chester, team leader for leisure, parks and open spaces at the authority, said they needed to avoid any potential safety hazards, including pool users navigating steps while wet.

"We are trying to look at every option available, but we've got to minimise that risk as much as we can."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the refurbishments are part of a £1m, two-phase scheme, aimed at refurbishing the equipment and changing rooms at each of the facilities.

Phase one focuses on upgrading changing room facilities, with £92,962 going to the Grantham site.

Work to install a £4m renewable energy scheme at the Grantham site was completed earlier this month.

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