Lincoln’s shuttered leisure centres could be back in action within 12 weeks, according to a council report. A glimmer of hope is on the horizon as limited facilities may be reopened earlier for competitive sports teams. The City of Lincoln Council is preparing to initiate the search for a new short-term provider to take over the reins for a couple of years. This comes after Active Nation, the former operator of Yarborough and Birchwood Leisure Centres on behalf of the council, folded last week due to soaring energy bills and the mounting cost of living crisis. The anticipated timeline suggests that the leisure centres could be back in business by July. A number of national leisure centre operators have already expressed interest in taking over. The council is currently exploring options to reinstate some facilities ahead of the new provider’s takeover to support competitive sports in the city. More information is expected to be revealed at next week’s meeting. In the wake of the closures, several sports clubs, including Leadenham Hockey Club, have voiced their struggles to find new facilities. In January, Active Nation had agreed to the £480,000 support package which included a break clause, allowing the council to terminate the contract with a 12 months’ notice. However, the charity declined the offer in February over concerns about the termination clause, leading to its eventual dissolution in April. An emergency council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, where the council plans to take the next two years to reflect on the future of leisure provision in the city, as opposed to hastily committing to a long-term operator.
This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk.
