The Leisure Centre

The Leisure Centre in Bourne which has been built alongside the Robert Manning Technical College in Queen's Road began life in two parts, the sports centre and then the swimming pool.

The sports centre cost £551,650 and was opened in April 1988 by Emlyn Hughes, the former Liverpool and England soccer star, who unveiled a commemorative plaque. But he had some special words for those who would take advantage of its facilities: "You have a cracking sports centre here", he said. "Don't waste the chance you have been given. Use it well and make it your responsibility to ensure that everyone treats these facilities properly."

The centre has provisions for badminton, volleyball, basketball, netball, indoor football, hockey and cricket, keep fit, martial arts, gymnastics, trampoline and aerobics and the amenities include changing rooms, a viewing balcony over the sports hall and turf pitches.

To ensure maximum use, the sports centre was planned for use both by the public and by pupils from the Robert Manning School (now the Robert Manning College of Technology). Its construction was therefore jointly financed by Lincolnshire County Council and South Kesteven District Council.

The building of an adjoining leisure pool at a cost of £2.6 million was announced at this time and building work started in March 1989 when the first turf was cut by Councillor Ian Croft, chairman of the district council's amenities committee, and an opening date the following spring was promised. The work was completed on time and the pool was officially opened on Friday 11th May 1990 by Councillor Croft and the chairman of the council, Councillor Don Fletcher.

The facilities included a 40-metre water chute with trace lightning and a wave machine and the activities included children's fun sessions as well as serious swimming.

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