Closed Penistone Leisure Centre 'to reopen in July'

A South Yorkshire leisure centre which closed down a year ago because of council funding cuts will reopen in July, the volunteers who have taken it over have claimed.

Penistone Leisure Centre closed in May 2011 after Barnsley Council said it was making £1.5m savings over five years.

The group, which campaigned to save the centre, said it had raised £3,000 to open it to the public.

The council said it was in ongoing discussions with the volunteer group.

'Good news'

Martyn Housden, one of the people behind the takeover, said the centre would be initially run by volunteers until it established itself.

"When we reopen we might not have access to everything all at once as we've got to make sure our cash flow is going to be good enough," he said.

The centre will ask users to "pay-as-you-go" for exercise classes in the sports hall, including zumba and kettle bells, with the intention of opening the gym and weight lifting facilities later.

"It isn't just for sports and leisure but for the whole community.

"We're also looking to lease areas to the community, including the mountain rescue who may be based there," said Mr Housden.

Barnsley Council said was "hopeful of good news in the near future".