Kirklees Active Leisure to be handed £4m as Dewsbury sports centre gets set to re-open

This joint approach to tackling health inequalities will be set out as part of a ‘KAL Commission’ which is currently being developed.

For now, the council is proposing financial support of up to £4m to support KAL whilst they recover from the major financial impact of the Covid-19 lockdown.

The funds will help to prevent job losses so that this important, local charity can continue to keep residents well now and in the future.

Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Corporate said: “Leisure facilities are vital in keeping the people of Kirklees healthy and well. KAL provide facilities for people to enjoy family time together, in a safe and friendly environment that allows them to have fun, whilst keeping fit.

“We want to make sure these facilities are still there for people to use as lockdown restrictions ease and into the months and years ahead. That is why we are proposing to support KAL with this financial package so that they can plan and develop activities to help combat some of the health inequalities our communities face.”

KAL operate 12 sites on behalf of Kirklees Council and have begun a phased re-opening of facilities since lockdown restrictions were eased, with the first sites due to re-open on Monday July 27 for gym and fitness classes.

These include Batley Sports & Tennis Centre, Dewsbury Sports Centre, Huddersfield Leisure Centre & Stadium Health & Fitness Club.

The re-opening will see fewer facilities available in the first instance in order to maintain social distancing guidelines and protect people from the spread of the virus.