Parents urged to ‘be responsible’

Residents are being urged to follow safety measures while using Market Rasen’s new state-of-the-art leisure centre.
Market Rasen Leisure Centre opens to the public for the first time. EMN-200727-104249001Market Rasen Leisure Centre opens to the public for the first time. EMN-200727-104249001
Market Rasen Leisure Centre opens to the public for the first time. EMN-200727-104249001

The £6.3 million facility opened at the end of last month after West Lindsey District Council contractors worked throughout the lockdown to complete the project on time.

Residents accessing the centre on foot are being asked to avoid the busy main entrance, and parents are urged to ‘be responsible’ for their children.

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Coun Stephen Bunney told July’s Market Rasen Town Council meeting: “We’re going to have to be very sure it’s [the leisure centre] used well but that ground’s safe and secure.

Market Rasen Leisure Centre opens to the public for the first time. EMN-200727-104249001Market Rasen Leisure Centre opens to the public for the first time. EMN-200727-104249001
Market Rasen Leisure Centre opens to the public for the first time. EMN-200727-104249001

“If you have children and take them to the sports centre, you’ll have to be responsible for them - there won’t be marshals all the time.

“The main pedestrian entrance is by the footpath that comes off Gillmore Road by the Scout hut.

“There’s a little footpath there that goes through.

“It’s important that if people are using pedestrian [access] we encourage them to use the back roads.

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“I’ve asked [West Lindsey District Council and leisure centre operator Everyone Active] for signs to be put up.

“It’s safer than the other option.

“The entrance from Mill Road Playing Field is not going to open until they’re fully staffed - there’s a gate up by the skate park that will be open during trading hours.”

And Market Rasen Town Councillor June Clark has raised concerns about how people who work would access the centre at all, due to the facility currently only being open until 6pm.

Responding to Coun Clark, Coun Bunney said: “The initial opening hours are to do with staffing levels and Covid-19.

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“We’ve just got to bear in mind that it’s being opened under very difficult circumstances.”

Coun Bunney said most of the staff from Everyone Active - the firm that also runs the leisure centre in Gainsborough - had been furloughed and had only recently returned to work.

The Gainsborough Road facility in Market Rasen has been described as a ‘cornerstone’ in West Lindsey District Council’s strategy to improve the health and wellbeing of people in the area.

The centre features a 7,400 square foot sports hall, an external 3G all-weather pitch, 40 pieces of Technogym cardio and strength equipment, plus a modern spin studio with 15 Kaiser cycling bikes.

There is also space and connectivity to allow instructors to deliver virtual classes to residents looking to pursue a healthier lifestyle from home.