Community Leisure Project: an overview

Where did the project come from?

Back in 2004, consultants Knight Kavanagh Page concluded in their report of the District’s leisure facilities, that a Leisure Strategy should be prepared and implemented. Once published, the new strategic framework laid the path for development in Louth and the surrounding area. From there, the Community Leisure Project was born and has been in the process of development ever since.

The report concluded that ELDC should:

• Replace Louth Swimming Pool
• Close London Road Sports Hall and source alternative provision
• Improve provision of fitness facilities

To turn this into a reality, the Council is now committed to:

• Build a new leisure centre on Wood Lane playing fields, Louth
• On London Road, Louth, demolish the existing buildings and replace with a new changing pavilion. Regrade, drain and reconfigure the grass pitches.
• At Wainfleet Road, Skegness, implement improvements to changing facilities, which will include the demolition of the existing changing facilities and construction of new accommodation

What does the project aim to achieve?

This project gives something back to the community - making a major contribution to the delivery of the Council’s strategic aims: improved sports provision and usage, development of healthy lifestyles, creating safer and stronger communities and enhancing employment opportunities.

In addition, the Project aims to:

• To play a major role in addressing health, crime reduction and anti-social behaviour issues in the community.
• To enable ELDC to host major sport and leisure events
• To provide high quality venues, centrally located, to cater for the first three levels (i.e. up to ‘Performance’ level) of the Sports Development Continuum. 
• To facilitate higher-level coach education courses (NGB Stage II) and volunteer education courses.

The project proposals present the opportunity to create good quality sustainable facilities that will focus not only on traditional sports participation, but also on community development use. Arts and cultural activities can be pursued; it provides a base for community and learning development; and in addition the Council, through this project, will become a major contributor towards programmes that address the significant health inequalities faced by the District.

How is the Council ensuring that the community is involved in the design and programming of the facilities?

The Council has invested heavily in thorough consultation and continues to do so. From the outset, the stakeholders (sports clubs, community groups, individuals, school children and governing bodies of sport) have underpinned and supported the project as a result of them being involved its design and delivery. This consultation has resulted in the project being focused towards real needs and ensuring these are satisfied effectively. They have engaged with the Project Team in the planning and design process of the facilities.

Check out our Consultation section for more information.

The outcome of the project is therefore as follows:

Wood Lane, Louth – Leisure Centre and pitch developments

Take a look at the facts and figures sheet HERE

External: Leisure Centre and Football Pitch

Leisure Centre to include:

• 25m x 8 lane pool with moveable floor.
• Leisure pool with slides and other features
• ‘Health Suite’ (sauna, steam etc.)
• Sports Hall 
• Fitness Suite
• Dance Studio
• Treatment Room (physiotherapy and other treatments)
• Multi-purpose space (for meetings and other leisure pursuits)
• Crèche with outdoor and indoor play area
• Community Space
• IT suite
• Exhibition Space
• Café and social area
• Bar (for occasional use)
• Outdoor changing rooms
• Car Park and cycle bays
• Recycling banks

London Road, Louth – Pavilion and pitch development

Take a look at the facts and figures sheet HERE

External: Pavilion, football pitches, new cricket oval
(pitches to be levelled, new drainage installed and all resurfaced and re-configured so as to ensure separation of pitches)

Pavilion to include:

• 8 x changing rooms
• 2 x officials changing rooms
• Clubroom with bar and kitchen
• Meeting/teaching room
• Terrace and balcony overlooking pitches
• Car parking and ramps with views across the pitches

So is the project just concentrating on Louth? What about other areas?

In addition to the developments in Louth, the Wainfleet Road facilities in Skegness will undergo a total replacement of its changing rooms. This is the third element of the project.

The facilities in Louth are not being developed solely for Louth residents. This project aims to facilitate active communities within a standard 10-mile radius and with good transport links to the facilities, the Council is certain that this project will act as a platform to highlight the role that sports and recreational activities can play not only in improving health in the community but in developing community networks and bringing people together.

For further information, contact the Council’s Project Team on 01507 601111 extension 828 or email: communityleisureproject@e-lindsey.gov.uk