In 2022, South Holland District Council submitted a bid to the Government to assist with the development of a Health and Wellbeing Hub, to serve the needs of the wider South Holland community.
The council received £20 million of Government investment to address health and wellbeing outcomes in South Holland, through the provision of improved sport, recreation and leisure facilities, alongside the closer integration of health and wellbeing services and facilities for residents.
Alongside a further £8.38 million of contribution by the Council, this has created a £28.38 million project, early works began in Spring 2025, leading into main works beginning in Autumn 2025, with the main construction completion in late 2026.
This funding is in addition to the £20 million of support for Spalding over the next ten years through the Plan for Neighborhoods, a regeneration initiative to support improvements to towns across the UK.
PARTS OF THE PROJECT
swimming facilities
A new swimming facility will be created as an extension to the existing ‘dry side’ of the complex.
This would include an improved six-lane 25 metre pool, as well as a new, larger teaching pool aimed at supporting learners of all ages, family swimming and physiotherapy and rehabilitation activity.
A cubicle changing village would be introduced, along with an outdoor splash pad for younger children and families, featuring water fountains and sprayers designed for fun water play and exploration.
indoor facilities
Other than swimming, the inside of the main Hub building would include a sports hall and gym fitness suite. Fun, activity and play zones would be introduced, overlooked by a new coffee shop type area.
Indoor cycling and fitness studios would be available for classes, as well as being suitable as a party space.
There would be a dedicated assisted exercise area and a health and wellbeing space for appointments and sessions with health practitioners, including services to support with mental health, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and dementia support.
New Changing Places facilities would be created through the project.
outdoor sports and leisure
Proposals include a new 3G artificial turf floodlit football pitch as well as a separate outdoor multi-use games area, catering for a variety of other sports including basketball.
Alongside the splashpad would be an outdoor play area for children and families to use, with a park run track suitable for walkers, runners or cyclists running around the edge of the site.
A community garden would also be created, allowing residents space to grow and share plants and vegetables in a communal, accessible environment.
extra care housing
The project also includes plans to help create an extra care housing scheme alongside the main Hub building.
Extra care housing is specialist accommodation designed to help people continue to live independently for longer, offering additional help with personal care and household chores alongside care, making it suitable for those who need varying degrees of assistance to live independently.
Made up of self-contained homes, it would provide communal spaces for resident dining, reading, meeting and amenities like a hair salon within the site.
By creating this alongside the new leisure facilities, tenants could have easier access to local facilities in support of their health and wellbeing, helping them to create a community around the site.
The application made by the Council in 2022 can be viewed in full on the South Holland District Council website.
