East Lindsey’s flagship leisure centre celebrates its first birthday

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Officials at East Lindsey District Council have been looking back on the Centre’s first year of operation and the work it has done to improve the health of local people.

The District Council built the £12m Meridian Leisure Centre as the centrepiece to its wider Community Leisure Project that has also seen new recreational and leisure facilities developed in Horncastle, Mablethorpe and Skegness.

“Improving the health of local people is a priority for the District Council and the Community Leisure Project was the biggest one off investment we’ve ever made. It’s given the people of our District one of the best leisure centres in the East Midlands and other high quality facilities including new sports pavilions, a community park and a skatepark,” explained Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Councillor Adam Grist.

“When we approached this project we knew that if you provide people with first class leisure facilities that they want to use they’ll be more encouraged to take part in sport and the results in the first year of the Meridian Leisure Centre speak for themselves.”

Since opening on February 6, 2010 the Centre has been visited a staggering 315,000 times and there are currently 1,900 members. Before closing the former Louth Swimming Pool welcomed 90,000 visits per year and had 200 fitness members.

The Leisure Centre on Wood Lane boasts a 25m eight lane pool with moveable floor; fitness suite with sauna and steam room; child care facility with outdoor and indoor play areas; a leisure pool with flume and other features; a sports hall and multi-purpose room; dance studios; an IT suite and exhibition space; a café and social area; plus outdoor changing rooms and car park and cycle bays.

The Fitness Suite incorporates the latest technology called FitLinxx, which supports people in their workouts. Statistics generated by the computer system show that over 18.5million calories have so far been burnt in 43,984 workouts.

The team at the Meridian Leisure Centre has also been working with a number of organisations, including the Linkage Community Trust and SENSE, to ensure the Centre is inclusive and able to be used by people of all abilities. In June, the Centre was awarded the prestigious IFI Status, which is recognition of its success in achieving this.

Linkage Community Trust House Parent, Tim Smith, regularly attends the Meridian Leisure Centre for Badminton, Swimming and Table Tennis, he said: “The Centre has had a significant impact on our service users with learning disabilities, improving their quality of life. The staff have been incredibly helpful in enabling them to play sport to the best of their abilities and we enjoy visiting.“

As well as being home to 14 local clubs, including Louth Storm Basketball Club and the Louth Dolphins Swimming Club, the swimming pool is hosting major county championship swimming events twice a year attracting hundreds of visitors to the area.

“Leisure Centres are expensive facilities to provide, which is why it is so pleasing to see such positive results for the community so quickly,” said Councillor Grist. “We must now build on the success so far, develop the programme further and ensure the Centre continues to have a key role in improving the health and wellbeing of local people for many years to come.”

Membership, which includes access to the facilities at the Leisure Centre, with the exception of the crèche, for free, including exercise classes, is available for £33.50 per month.

For details of memberships at the Meridian Leisure Centre, please contact the team on 01507 604738 or visit www.e-lindsey.gov.uk