‘Three years is enough’, say campaigners fighting for re-opening of Dewsbury Sports Centre
Campaigners have warned that the Dewsbury community cannot wait any longer, as they continue in their fight to see the town’s sports centre re-open.
This month marks three years since the Kirklees Active Leisure-run (KAL) Dewsbury Sports Centre closed its doors after collapse-prone reinforced autoclave aerated concrete (RAAC) was discovered at the site.
What was expected to be a temporary closure ultimately became permanent, with Kirklees Council’s previous Labour administration voting that the site would close for good in November 2024.
The report to cabinet at the time said that permanent closure was the recommended option due to “financial constraints; the significant cost of refurbishing the existing facilities; and the available alternative physical activity provisions in the area”.
The Labour administration vowed to deliver a new leisure centre for the town, with £35m set aside in the local authority’s last budget. But this facility is not expected to be completed until 2031.
Campaigners gathered at Huddersfield Town Hall last week, demonstrating the strength of feeling that remains.
One of the campaigners, Surraya Patel, spoke during the meeting. She told members that the existing plans “do not solve the problem we have today”.
She spoke of the impact of the closure on the whole community, from school children struggling to access swimming lessons, to older people needing to stay active to boost overall well-being.
Ms Patel said: “Children cannot wait until 2031 to learn to swim. Older residents cannot wait until 2031 for accessible exercise provision. The schools cannot be expected to make do with reduced or temporary swimming provision until 2031.
“If a new centre is the long-term answer, what’s our interim plan? We need both a long-term facility and a meaningful full provision, now.
“That’s why we will continue to ask the council to properly investigate the most practical, immediate option to repair and re-open Dewsbury Sports Centre, providing it’s safe and financially viable – because three years is enough.”
She called for the new administration to commit to several actions, including: reinstating and re-opening Dewsbury Sports Centre while progressing the longer-term plan for a new centre; providing an interim health and leisure plan for Dewsbury; and setting a clear timetable for action.
Coun Simon Brophy, cabinet member for strategic finance and local government efficiency, said he recognised the “strength of feeling” around the closure both from the community and within his own party.
He acknowledged the importance of physical activity, swimming and the accessibility of leisure facilities to the health of Kirklees residents.
On the matter of school swimming lessons, he said that alternative provision is in place, and that challenges are being faced across the country.
Coun Brophy also told the meeting that the council had appointed independent consultancy – Max Associates – to undertake a detailed review of future leisure provision within Dewsbury and assess future options.
He said: “The appointment of Max Associates demonstrates that this council is actively progressing and is committed to ensuring that future decisions are factually-informed to deliver the right outcomes for the people of Dewsbury and the wider community in a prompt and timely manner.”