Council shows commitment to protecting leisure services in South Holland

Posted on 22 April 2020

South Holland District Council has showed its continued commitment to providing quality leisure services in the area, agreeing a financial support strategy to help Parkwood, the District's leisure provider, keep delivering once lockdown is lifted.

With leisure centres across the country currently closed in line with Government guidance during the Coronavirus pandemic, the Castle Sports Centre in Spalding and Peele Leisure Centre in Long Sutton are receiving no revenue, with all membership payments currently frozen.

To support the Company and ensure that equipment, machinery and facilities at the two centres can be maintained and ready to go once the restrictions are lifted, the Council has offered financial relief to help them through this difficult period.

As a result, all payments owed to the Council by Parkwood have been paused for the duration of the enforced closure, with additional financial support given to the provider to ensure that all ongoing running costs and loss of income are covered, to allow the facilities to get up and running quickly and continue to grow when they reopen.

Councillor Gary Taylor, South Holland District Council deputy leader and portfolio holder for communities and facilities, welcomed the decision, saying: "During this difficult period it is of great importance that we support Parkwood to ensure that a leisure service enjoyed by thousands across the District is there waiting for them when lockdown is lifted.

"The growth and progress we have seen in our leisure centres since they took over the contract has been fantastic to see, and we want to guarantee that this upward trajectory is able to continue in both Spalding and Long Sutton for many years to come. I am delighted that as a Council we are able to show our commitment to protecting this service and make sure that we all have somewhere to let off some steam when normal service resumes."