More funds and ideas for complex

Another £6m has been allocated to fund the replacement of the Castle Sports Complex while its pool could have a moveable floor to aid competitive swimming.

Last week Coun Gary Taylor told South Holland District Council that funding from section 106 payments for leisure can be allocated to the project adding to the £20m of Levelling Up funding the authority had successfully bid for.
He was answering Coun James Le Sage’s question as to whether a 50m pool might be incorporated, something the family of paralympic hopeful Orlaigh Greer had requested in an article in The Voice recently so she could continue to train with her South Lincs Swimming Club colleagues.
After the meeting Coun Taylor said he didn’t believe a 50m pool was being seriously looked at, but a pool with a moveable floor that would allow both ends to be deep so competitive swimmers could take on full underwater turns.
“We have certainly looked at how we can benefit competitive swimming,” he said. “I’ve visited a couple of other swimming pools that have the technology where the floor drops at the touch of a button.
“It’s fantastic and could be of benefit.
“We have to make sure that our plans are sustainable, but something like that would be fantastic.
“We’re currently in the very early stages of the design.”
Coun Taylor also said the council would look for further opportunities to boost funding.
On the potential for an Olympic standard 50m pool he said: “I don’t think we’ve seriously looked at that pool, but we’ll look at the options.
“It’s not just a new pool but a new health centre.
“We’re starting to make good progress on the consultation and it’s about looking at what we can do bigger and better and enhance what we offer for all, not just for the swimming pool.
“We’re talking with a host of consultees and leisure users, but we also want to hear from people that don’t use the centre currently.
“These include people who may go outside of the area for leisure. Why do they do that and what can we do to persuade them to use the new Castle Sports Complex?
“We want to double the activity.
“There are some bold and ambitious plans.”