February 2, 2011 3.30 pm This story is over 157 months old

Grandstand revamp work to begin

Refit: Improvement works at the Grandstand in Lincoln are set to begin.

Improvement works at the Grandstand Community Centre in the west of Lincoln are set to commence on Monday, February 7.

The Grade II listed building will be closed for three weeks, as the refurbishment worth £42,000 takes place.

The Grandstand revamp will include repaired and replaced wooden terracing, as well as replacing the fencing around the terraces.

As previously reported, the railings will be permanently fixed across the front of the Grandstand, with a smaller railing graduating up the sides.

These railing changes are subject to planning permission and listed building consent being granted on February 9.

The main hall and large meeting room of the Grandstand will be decorated and re-carpeted too.

The Grandstand last received an overhaul over 15 years ago and around £97,000 was spent on maintaining the building over the last three years.

Uncertain future

Councillor Alister Williams, Portfolio Holder for Health and Recreation at the City of Lincoln Council, said the revamp is just a short term solution:

“A refurbishment of the Grandstand Community Centre has been planned for some time as part of the council’s maintenance programme, but this work ties in with a desire to make the building more attractive in the short term while its long term use is discussed.”

Last year over 50 Lincoln residents met to discuss a more community-friendly use of the building.

Among those discussed were the use of the Grandstand as a hub for small businesses, an art project, a day nursery, a restaurant, or as a conference centre.

These ideas however are not feasible due to legal restrictions via the 1985 Lincoln Commons Act, which does not allow for such uses of the building.

Source: City of Lincoln Council | Photo: Jonathan Cox