A Leisure Project for all
A KEY element for the Community Leisure Project that was agreed at the Executive Board of East Lindsey District Council is the refurbishment and upgrade of sports and leisure facilities at Wainfleet Road, Skegness. The programme is worth £1.5 million and will be funded through contributions from external sources such as the Football Foundation, FA, RFU and Sport England, as well as East Lindsey District Council. This will compliment the major investment in the Leisure Centre at Wood Lane, Louth, and form part of a chain of new leisure facilities across the District.
The Wainfleet Road project is a partnership between East Lindsey District Council, Skegness Rugby Club and East Coast Juniors Football Club. Skegness Town Council has also been supportive of the project. The new facilities will transform key sporting activities in the district for years to come.
The project will feature a complete remodelling of the existing clubhouse to provide a modern, properly equipped, changing facility, two full size football pitches, one mini-size 11-a-side pitch, two under-18 football pitches, three under-7/8 mini soccer pitches, four under-9/10 mini soccer pitches, two full-size rugby pitches, one under-6/7 mini rugby pitch, one under-9/10 mini rugby pitch, one under-11/12 mini rugby pitch.
The site will support a range of teams and activities including:
* 5 Football teams
* 5 new girls teams
* 5 new boys teams
* 9 new charter standard clubs
* 6 new charter standard schools
* 5 Rugby teams
This will provide regular sporting activity for 421 participants, 40 coaches and 10 referees.
Commenting on the project Councillor Adam Grist, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, said: “ There has been a lot of focus on the Leisure Centre in Louth but it is important to remember that this programme will also have an impact across the District. The Wainfleet Road and London Road projects will provide a significant boost to leisure and sports potential for all ages and all standards of players in some of our most popular team sports.”
While East Lindsey District Council will own the assets for the project, they will be leased and managed through a Community Sports Association that includes members from each of the partner organisations. The Sport Association will operate with charity status under a Limited Guarantee.
The Wainfleet Road project addresses a critical need for sport and leisure investment in Skegness. It will provide facilities for both junior and senior teams and address a chronic shortage of outdoor sports facilities in this part of our community.
Working together with the Football Foundation, FA, RFU and Sport England we have an opportunity to move from the fourth division to the premiership in delivering sporting opportunity. With agreement for the project in place it is expected that work will commence in autumn 2008 and be completed in late 2009.
The Wainfleet Road plaing field was given to the people of Skegness by the Earl of Scarbrough.