Kirklees Council: Futures of leisure centres confirmed at meeting

The futures of Colne Valley Leisure Centre in Slaithwaite (pictured) and Batley Sports and Tennis Centre have recently been in doubt

The futures of two at-risk West Yorkshire leisure centres have officially been secured.

Batley Sports and Tennis Centre and Colne Valley Leisure were earmarked for closure by Kirklees Council, which faces a £47m hole in its finances.

But the council recently announced they would be saved after a consultation.

A meeting on Tuesday heard Dewsbury Sports Centre will remain shut due to the presence Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

It would also require millions of pounds worth of repairs to keep it open, the meeting heard.

The council and leisure centre operators Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL) are discussing the feasibility of offering some level of activities at the Dewsbury centre in the future, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Councillor Jackie Ramsay told the meeting she was "delighted" that two leisure centres had been saved, but stressed the importance of having sports and leisure facilities in Dewsbury.

"I'm very concerned that the leisure centre may remain closed as it serves a relatively deprived community, some of whom will struggle to get to other facilities," she said.

Batley Sports and Tennis Centre is one of several sites in the borough run by Kirklees Active Leisure

Kirklees Council needs to save £47m before the end of the financial year and said it was unable to provide KAL with the same level of funding it had previously given the charity.

The eight KAL-run centres in the borough remaining open are:

• Batley Sports and Tennis Centre

• Bradley Park Golf Club

• Colne Valley Leisure Centre

• Holmfirth Pool and Fitness Centre

• Huddersfield Leisure Centre

• Leeds Road Sports Complex

• Scissett Baths and Fitness Centre

• Spen Valley Leisure Centre

KAL will run Deighton Sports Arena until at least April 2024 to allow for discussions to continue about the site being taken over by an alternative operator.

Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member for finance and regeneration, said: "Thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation - your views and ideas have been vital.

"I'm pleased we've been able to broaden the leisure centre provision and that we're able to do so within the financial limitations we set out originally."