Consultation on improvements to leisure facilities in Grantham promised in March will get underway in January next year.

The consultation start date was announced at yesterday's (Thurs) South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) full council meeting, with January being the busiest time of the year at the Meres Leisure Centre.

SKDC says the consultation will consider options for a smaller facility in the town centre, a refurbishment of the existing centre, or a new facility on the current Meres site.

In March, when plans for a multi-million pound overhaul of leisure facilities in Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and The Deepings were announced by former council leader Coun Matthew Lee, SKDC said it was considering bringing the swimming pool into the town, leaving the stadium, pitches and car parking at the Meres site.

At that time, SKDC said it wanted to make Grantham 'a leisure destination with a town centre of which people can be proud' and that a high-quality leisure and events offer in the heart of the town 'could deliver significant economic growth, attracting residents, shoppers and visitors throughout the daytime and into the evening'.

Mechanical and electrical installations at The Meres Leisure Centre, built in 1960 and extended in the late 1990s, are more than 25 years old.

In 2015, £600,000 was spent on upgrading some areas but there is still an issue with high levels of humidity and the dated appearance of the facility, which does not offer the most efficient use of space.

At yesterday's full council meeting Coun Helen Goral, Cabinet Member for Growth, that the leisure projects in Stamford, Bourne, The Deepings and Grantham continued to be a top priority for SKDC.

With regard to Grantham she said: "I have always committed to undertaking a public consultation that fully considers both the location of our Grantham leisure offer but also how that complements the wider provision.

"It is also imperative that we consider the needs of people living close to the current Mere's site and how we can provide facilities to enhance the locality."

A potential site for the new leisure centre in The Deepings has been identified at the Playing Fields opposite The Deepings School. Negotiations are continuing, and subject to planning and highways approval, the centre is expected to be ready for use within two years from when the site is secured, pending engagement from all stakeholders.

An extension and full refurbishment of Bourne Leisure Centre is expected to be completed by the middle of 2022.

A brand new ultra-modern leisure centre promised for Stamford may now not come to fruition.

At the March leisure scheme unveiling the local authority said it had identified a potential site for the new facility to replace the existing leisure centre in Drift Road and talks with the landowner were underway.

But Coun Goral told yesterday's full council meeting that consideration is also being given to 'a full refurbishment of the existing site'.

She said she wanted to ensure the investment provided value for money.

"Decisions this council makes over the coming months will impact on the leisure offer for the people of South Kesteven, not just for this generation, but for the next," said Coun Goral.

"These changes will be guided by what our residents want and need aspirations are and will be under-pinned by robust business cases.

"Our overall plans will benefit thousands of families across our district, and I am hugely excited by the opportunities this leisure programme will deliver.

"We are committed to providing the best opportunities for people to be active and healthy and improve their wellbeing and happiness."