Date set for Rasen’s new £6.3m leisure centre handover

The centre is due to be passed to Everyone Active on June 9, and will open - with social distancing guidelines in place - ‘once government guidelines permit’.

Everyone Active contract manager Kerry O’Neill said she was looking forward to ‘showcasing’ the centre’s facilities to the local community - and will announce an opening date ‘as soon as possible’.

A West Lindsey District Council spokesman said: “The centre is progressing well in spite of numerous challenges encountered through the course of the project, not least the delays and restrictions imposed by Covid-19.

“The centre is likely to be handed over on June 9.

“In terms of the operator (Everyone Active) opening the centre, there will be a fit-out period, the timescale of which is yet to be determined.

“The centre will only open once government guidelines permit, and once open will be adhering to social distancing guidelines.”

The £6.3 million Market Rasen Leisure Centre will consist of a state-of-the-art gym, with more than 40 pieces of Technogym cardio, strength and pure strength equipment.

Its studio space will have 15 Kaiser group cycling bikes.

Ms O’Neill said for the first time, local people will have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of virtual classes, giving them the option to take part in a class at a time that suits them.

She said: “Watching the new Market Rasen Leisure Centre being built has been an extremely exciting time for both us and the council, and we’re very much looking forward to showcasing its facilities to the local community.

“Unfortunately, the current lockdown means we will only open the building once we have been given instruction by the government that it is safe to do so.

“At this point, we don’t have a confirmed date for that.

“We are working very closely with West Lindsey District Council and will communicate the arrangements to the local community as soon as we possibly can.”

While many businesses have been forced to close during lockdown, the government said construction sites could continue to operate, with social distancing measures in place.

WLDC prosperous communities committee chairman Coun Owen Bierley has praised the work of Morgan Sindall Construction for continuing to develop the project, given the current situation.

He said: “I am pleased to see the new leisure centre in Market Rasen is progressing well.”