Leisure centres’ outdoor facilities back in action
Outdoor facilities at both the Yarborough and Birchwood Leisure Centres will reopen on a phased basis from this weekend.
Lincoln City Foundation has working closely with the City of Lincoln Council to allow clubs and teams that use the outdoor pitches and other amenities at the centres to get back into action as soon as possible.
Both leisure centres were closed unexpectedly by Active Nation when it ceased trading nationally last week,
Over the next three months, Lincoln City Foundation – the charitable arm of Lincoln City FC - will manage the outdoor leisure facilities at both centres on behalf of the council.
Working with the Foundation, the reopening of outdoor facilities will take place on a phased basis, prioritising community-based clubs. The council has now contacted these clubs directly – any club not yet contacted should wait to hear from the council to be included in a further phase of reopening.
The Foundation will coordinate all bookings, keyholding, facilities management and maintenance on behalf of the council.
As reported on Wednesday members of City of Lincoln Council’s Executive will next week be asked to approve the start of the procurement process to find an interim operator for the indoor and outdoor leisure facilities at both sites for the next two years.
In the meantime, the council has now repossessed its buildings at Yarborough Leisure Centre and Birchwood Leisure Centre. This means that essential maintenance can be carried out, and the pool’s water quality can be maintained. Some refurbishment work will also be necessary before a new interim operator is brought in.
Simon Walters, strategic director of communities and environment at City of Lincoln Council, said: “We’re incredibly pleased that we have been able to work with our partners at the Lincoln City Foundation to ensure that some of the outdoor facilities at Yarborough and Birchwood Leisure Centres can reopen as soon as possible.
“We understand how important these leisure facilities are to our local communities and share everyone’s concern regarding the sudden closures.
“Securing the Foundation for this first phase is a positive first step towards a full re-opening of the centres, and we’re committed to finding an interim operator to allow for the reopening of both the indoor facilities, as well as the full suite of outdoor facilities, in the coming months.
“We’d like to thank our residents and local clubs for their patience and understanding, and the Foundation for stepping up at such a difficult time.”
Martin Hickerton, chief executive of the Foundation, said: “Everyone across Lincoln City Football Club is pleased to be playing a key role in reopening these vital grassroots spaces for the people in our local community.
“We feel a real sense of pride in our city and know what an important role physical activity plays in the lives of many of its residents - across the club and the Foundation we’re passionate about using our unique role in the city to maintain and increase access where we can.
“We’re pleased to work with the City of Lincoln Council on this step in the right direction, and we can’t wait to see people coming back and filling these spaces with activities once again as people get back into routines which mean so much to them.”
Christopher Roe, chairman of North Lindum Hawks football clubs, said: “This is fantastic news. Getting the pitches back open again is a real credit to the city council and Lincoln City Foundation.
“Our kids can’t wait to get back on the 3G pitches this weekend. It’s essential that young people have access to these types of facilities for their health and well-being.
“Grass roots football plays an incredibly important role in the lives of many young people, and I’d like to thank all those who have helped to deliver this outcome so swiftly.”
The council is still awaiting confirmation of an appointed administrator or liquidator for Active Nation. Once this is confirmed, further guidance will be provided for customers with pre-paid memberships to explore the possibility of reclaiming their payment.
Pictures: Chris Vaughan
