New leisure centre plans submitted by council

The proposed centre at Squire Lane includes space for two pools and a gym

Plans for a new leisure centre in Bradford with two swimming pools and a gym have been submitted.

Bradford Council wants to build the facility in Squire Lane, near Bradford Hospital.

The project will be paid for in part using £20m of Levelling Up funding from the government.

Alex Ross-Shaw, portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, said: "We've always wanted to provide a sport and leisure facility for this part of the district and the recent public consultation gave the community the opportunity to find out more about the plans and provide feedback on the proposals."

If planning permission is granted, the council said the next stage would involve a detailed procurement processes and further financial evaluation before the plans go before the executive for a final decision.

The plans for the leisure centre, which would have a 25m (82ft) long pool with six lanes and a shorter learner's pool, were first mooted a decade ago.

The budget the council is working to on this project is £27.9m, which will continue to be reviewed as the project develops.

Funding for the project consists of the £20m grant and the remaining £7.9m contribution to the scheme will be funded through council borrowing as agreed in the council's budget reports in March 2025.

Ross-Shaw said: "Obviously, there's still some way to go before we get to a final decision.

"We're pleased to have retained the £20 million grant funding for this pool.

"Going through this next stage of development will start to more accurately assess the ongoing running costs of a new facility, which we need to have before any final decision can be made on construction."

Plans for the new centre come despite the recent closure of Baildon Recreation Centre and the ongoing closure of Bingley Pool.

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