£15million leisure centre development given the go-ahead in Spen Valley
Ambitious plans to build a £15 million state-of-the-art leisure centre have been formally approved by councillors.
The new leisure centre will replace the current Spenborough Pool, which has served the Spen Valley community for the past 50 years.
What facilities will be at the leisure centre?
It will feature an eight-lane 25m pool, 20m activity pool with moveable floor, a fitness suite, two exercise studios and a cycle studio. Following engagement sessions earlier in the year, the council listened to feedback om local people and also included improved catering facilities.
The new centre is part of the council’s commitment to regeneration and financial investment in North Kirklees. Other major projects include the rejuvenation of Pioneer House in Dewsbury and the Moor Park development in Mirfield.
Spen Leisure Centre will also support local people for many years to come in being healthy, physically active and achieving better long-term health outcomes.
Cllr Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said:
“The new leisure complex is a fantastic and much anticipated development. We are delighted that planning permissions has been granted for a project which will completely transform Spen Valley’s leisure provision. This is a sign of our ambition and a significant investment in high-quality sport and leisure facilities for people of all ages. The new centre will be central to our priority of promoting the health and wellbeing of residents.”
The existing skate park at the rear of the pool will not be replaced, but there are plans to potentially relocate it to a new site in Royds Park. The current pool will close on August 31, with demolition scheduled for September 2019. A contractor is being appointed soon and construction on the new facilities is expected to take around two years from early 2020.
What will happen while the work takes place?
Whilst the pool will close, the existing fitness suite, studio and athletics track will remain open throughout the build. Kirklees Active Leisure have been working hard with existing customers to relocate them to other KAL swimming pools in the area.
Planning permission was granted by the council’s Strategic Planning Committee. For more information and to follow the progress of the project, follow the council’s blog www.spenvalleyleisurecentre.co.uk