New operator at leisure sites

New providers have taken over the district’s leisure sites, with a pledge to focus on customer service and cleanliness – two issues that have dogged the Spalding facility in recent times.

Parkwood this week replaced 1Life as operators of the Castle Sports Complex in Spalding and Long Sutton’s Peele Leisure Centre, and pledged to improve both facilities.

The five-year contract began on March 1 and both Parkwood and South Holland will both invest in the sites, but the amount is not yet known.

Parkwood, which runs facilities for a number of authorities including Breckland, which shares some services with SHDC, has pledged to freeze the facilities’ prices until April next year.

Next month, the cardiovascular equipment at the Castle Sports Complex gym will be replaced, with new running machines, bikes and cross trainers. The Peele’s gym will receive replacement bikes.

The Castle will also introduce virtual group cycling sessions and the learn-to-swim programme “will be enhanced with additional water safety teaching”, according to a council spokesman.

The council spokesman would not specifically confirm what improvements the pool may receive.

“As with the all of the facilities, there is a commitment to ensure that the pool has an updated look and feel, and delivers its users a high standard of service and cleanliness,” said a statement.

During the handover of facilities, Coun Gary Taylor, portfolio holder for communities and leisure, said he was delighted the council would now be working with Parkwood and looked forward to the future.

He said: “Parkwood’s commitment to ‘getting back to basics’ in terms of providing residents with high levels of cleanliness and customer service is very welcome and a positive step forward.

“The council will be working closely with Parkwood over the coming weeks, months and years to deliver good leisure provision for everybody in the district.”