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The newspaper for all North Kesteven residents
Winter 2011
Forward stroke on pool investment NKDC builds on the popularity of swimming in Sleaford by improving the town’s leisure centre facilities
The skies above Sleaford were lit up with a fabulous firework finale to mark the culmination of an arts festival which weaved its way through the District during the year. SaFire was entirely funded by the Arts Council and the Igniting Ambition fund, focused on promoting the arts in advance of the 2012 Olympic Games. Around 3,000 people were estimated to have engaged in a fiery evening of entertainment which included aerial dance in St Denys’ Church, film projection onto the wall of the National Centre for Craft & Design, community contributions illustrating the Best of British, arts, craft, song, dance and theatre. By igniting sparks of ambition and inspiring the people of North Kesteven to realise their potential, this epic event may be merely a taste of what could come in 2012, when NKDC’s arts outreach agency artsNK propose to combine creative talents from across the District into a massive memorable celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympic Games. If you have a vision of what you would like for next year email artsNK@ leisureconnection.co.uk
Our Communities – pages 6 & 7
Millions of pounds are to be invested in a comprehensive refurbishment of Sleaford Leisure Centre. North Kesteven District Council unanimously supports an investment of £2.65m in the Eastbanks facility, saying this was the most appropriate and costeffective solution for the centre’s future. With more than £400,000 needing to be spent on repair and maintenance of the current complex and costs anticipated to exceed £1.25m over the next 10 years, the Council has committed to early intervention, investment and enhancement. Progress on enhancing swimming provision in Sleaford comes at a time when figures show increased interest in participation in sport and physical activity in the town, rising by 4.4% in five years to bring the District up to 26th in the national league table. Council Leader, Cllr Mrs Marion Brighton OBE, said: “As a Council we are committed to sport and culture and the future of Sleaford Leisure Centre remains an important aspect in this. “Our leisure service has continued to improve over the last eight years and we always seek to make further commitments to our residents and visitors in the provision of first-class sport, leisure and culture opportunities,” she said. “What North Kesteven is doing and is prepared to do for Sleaford, should be recognised. It is a growing town and must become a vibrant town.” The work at the leisure centre seeks to improve and enhance it, to meet
Artist’s impression of the proposed pool improvements customer expectations and prolong its lifespan by at least 22 years. The plans include: > Remodelling of the building to make more effective use of the internal space and improve energy efficiency. > Equipping it to make use of ‘free heat’ from the straw-burning power station at Kirkby la Thorpe, saving £25,000 in the centre’s annual running costs. > Re-planned, refurbished and relocated changing facilities, with unisex changing for swimming. > Extended gym area providing for 23 extra fitness stations. > Improved entrance and reception. > Deck-level drainage and re-graded pool floor. > Improved acoustics in the pool hall, separation of wet-side and dry-side users, spectator area and tidier storage of pool equipment. > Additional new fitness studio. > External improvements including cladding and a glass canopy to the entrance. This is estimated to cost around £2.65m, mostly funded by NKDC, with contributions sought from the Amateur Swimming Association and Sport England. The Council has £1m
available in reserves, with the rest set to be financed through borrowing. It will involve closure for up to a year from late 2012, with completion due by December 2013. During that time leisure services will continue at Harpers and possibly other local providers who are holding talks on future arrangements with the Council. NKDC Client Services Manager Mike Lock said: “We continuously strive to provide the best sports and leisure facilities, and having listened to our customers we see this work as key to improving swimming provision in the district. “People are clear in their desire for a pool to remain in this location where it has been for 140 years. It is therefore essential that the Council and Leisure Connection continue to provide the best possible facilities to encourage greater participation in sport and enjoyment in swimming.” The new centre will offer users an improved range and standard of facilities and present a more contemporary image that enhances its surroundings.” This option is more afordable than the previous aspiration to re-build which relied heavily on external funding.
Our Economy – page 10
01529 414155 / 01522 699699 info@n-kesteven.gov.uk
Our Homes – page 11
www.n-kesteven.gov.uk