Alliance Leisure starts works on South Holland Health and Wellbeing Hub
Alliance Leisure has started work on the new South Holland Health and Wellbeing Hub, after South Holland District Council received £20m of government funding towards the project to address local health and wellbeing outcomes.
Replacing Castle Sports Complex in Spalding, Lincolnshire, which consists of swimming pool and sports buildings in separate locations, the project will deliver an integrated hub. It will combine new swimming pools with a wide range of indoor and outdoor facilities alongside health provision and community spaces.
“South Holland has some of the lowest activity levels in the country. This project will create modern sport, leisure and recreation facilities and put essential health and wellbeing services at the heart of the community. The new Hub will help address inactivity, reduce health inequalities and support healthier futures for all residents.”
South Holland has the fourth worst adult activity rate in England, with 40% of adults and 48% of children failing to meet recommended exercise levels. The new Health & Wellbeing Hub is key to addressing these levels of inactivity with facilities and services targeted to families, older people and those interacting with wellness services, as well as enhanced facilities for those who are already engaged.
The population is projected to rise from 98,000 in 2022 to 107,000 by 2036, with people aged 65 and over set to become the largest age group. This shifting demographic will place increasing pressure on health services in South Holland.
The new multi-million-pound Hub is being delivered by Alliance Leisure on behalf of South Holland District Council, through the UK Leisure Framework, which is managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL).
The project includes a new swimming complex with a six-lane 25m pool and a six-lane, 20m teaching pool for schools, learners, families, physiotherapy and rehabilitation. A modern changing village and with spaces for families and groups will enhance the offer.
Inside the Hub, facilities will include a sports hall, gym, indoor cycling and fitness studios, play zone and a coffee shop type area. Dedicated spaces will support assisted exercise and health services, including mental health, diabetes and dementia support. The Hub will be fully accessible, with new Changing Places facilities also provided.
Outside, the Hub will offer a full size floodlit 3G football pitch, learn-to-cycle area, BMX and mountain bike facilities and a track for walking, cycling and athletics training.
Designed with sustainability and reducing carbon emissions firmly in mind, the new centre will be all-electric and completely gas free, featuring air source heat pumps, extensive solar PVs and electric vehicle chargers.
““I’m delighted that this bold and ambitious project is now underway, and I am looking forward to working with our partners to deliver these new and improved sport and wellbeing facilities for the people of South Holland.
“This once-in-a-generation funding opportunity is about setting the foundations and creating an attractive, accessible and inviting hub to help our residents to live healthier, more active lives, now and for many years to come.”
Led by Alliance Leisure, the project team includes contractors Willmott Dixon, Saunders Boston Architects and project managers Hadron Consulting.
The Hub is expected to open to the public in early 2027.
For more information about Alliance Leisure, visit: allianceleisure.co.uk