Council cash boost for sports centre

The council cash will be used to extend and improve the centre’s gym later this year.

The work will allow Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL) to increase the number of fitness stations by 50 per cent, improve training areas and make better use of the bar and kitchen area.

The investment was agreed by Kirklees Council’s Cabinet during a private session.

But the amount to be spent cannot be made public yet because of the tendering process.

Cabinet member for investment and housing, Coun Cathy Scott, said: “Dewsbury Sports Centre is a key local asset and such investment means that local residents will have an even better major leisure centre to make use of, helping them to get and then stay healthy, at a price that offers excellent value for money.”

She said making investment in important facilities such as the centre was vital if the council was to get people in the district to be more active, more often.

Coun Scott (Lab, Dews East) added: “There is a positive impact for all our priorities – better life chances for young people, healthier older people, effective services, and an investment in the local economy with jobs for a range of contractors involved in the project.”

Work is due to start at the centre in Longcauseway in the summer, subject to planning permission, and will take 18 weeks.

KAL’s chairman of trustees, David Heddon, said: “We are confident that the people of Dewsbury and the surrounding area will welcome this investment, which will hopefully encourage even greater use of Dewsbury Sports Centre in the years to come.”

Work has begun now on a detailed design with a formal planning application to follow.

KAL is also preparing to put the construction work out to tender.