Batley Baths set to close permanently as funds run out for the ageing centre

As it stands, Kirklees Active Leisure’s plans will see the Colne Valley pool open as it did previously, Deighton Sports Arena open with a limited capacity and Batley Baths closed permanently, it has been reported.

Kirklees Council has set aside a financial bailout for KAL in its annual budget, with a rescue package reported to exceed £6m.

If KAL’s plans go ahead as anticipated, this is expected to fund the re-opening of the two sites, help with the increased energy costs and support KAL’s estate.

Like the other centres, Batley Baths has significant operating costs, especially when it comes to heating the pool. However, sources have said that the ageing condition of the building is said to make it even more difficult for the centre to run economically.

Public consultation on the matter will commence on Monday and will consider alternative provision in Batley. A final decision is yet to be made.

Coun Paul Davies, cabinet member for corporate services, said: “We are currently working with Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL) on a support package for local leisure centres. Details of the package will be part of our annual budget, which we will publish on Monday, February 13.

“We won’t know the full and final extent of the support package until all councillors have voted on the full council budget in March.

"KAL are also looking to engage with their members, customers and communities of the affected sites about the future of service provision at each over the coming weeks.

“The scale of the financial pressure on KAL due the continuing impact of Covid and spiralling energy costs are significant. Our package of support will give KAL options on re-opening some of the facilities that temporarily closed at the end of last year.

"However, whatever the outcome of the budget, serious challenges remain.

“Crucially, the leisure sector needs Government support on energy costs to give more certainty to organisations like KAL about the future.

"We will also need to work alongside KAL over the coming months to map out a longer-term plan, how we can work to help support our local leisure facilities and how customers can continue to access the services they clearly value so much.

“The council itself is facing extraordinary budget pressures this year but we know how important frontline services, like libraries and leisure centres, are to residents.

"We will do everything we can to support the services that matter most to local people.”

Three of Kirklees’ leisure centres closed their doors on December 16 with this said to be temporary and up for review this March. This came as KAL was struggling with mounting financial pressures that had been felt since the pandemic.

Rising energy costs and the economic crisis were said to exacerbate the already difficult financial situation.

The decision caused a public outcry with communities coming together to form campaign groups, all hoping to save their much-loved leisure centres.