Government to hold meeting over plans to reopen Deepings Leisure Centre

South Holland and the Deepings MP Sir John Hayes has secured a commitment from the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth to meet with him and a group from the Deepings to try and find a way forward for the Deepings Leisure Centre.

Speaking in a House of Commons debate on Thursday June 5, Sir John secured the commitment as part of his long running campaign, alongside the Deepings Leisure Centre Community Group, to renovate and re-open the Leisure Centre in Deeping St James which closed in 2021.

A group of residents had hoped to save the facility but they admitted defeat in February.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Sir John Hayes spoke about the importance of public pools being open so that young people can learn to swim, given rising number of deaths in recent years from drowning.

He said “A report last year by the Royal Life Saving Society found that the number of child drownings in England had doubled over a four-year period. That was 125 lives lost. Two years ago, The Guardian reported that England had lost almost 400 swimming pools since 2010, including local authority and community-owned pools, privately owned leisure facilities, school and sports club pools, and the Deepings leisure centre, which previously hosted the renowned Deepings swimming club.

“My question to the Minister is straightforward. How can I obtain funding, in tune with the previous Government’s swimming pool support fund, to help that much-loved community facility to reopen, and so make swimming available to children and adults in the community?”

Speaking for the Government, Stephanie Peacock, the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth, agreed to meet with Sir John to discuss Deepings Leisure Centre further.

Following the debate, Sir John said “I have followed up with Stephanie Peacock to organise a meeting with her along with a group from the Deepings, as we simply must do all we can to get the Leisure Centre back open.”