‘Give Dewsbury its sports centre back’: Campaigners prepare to address meeting of full Kirklees Council

Campaigners will be rallying outside the Council meeting in Huddersfield from 4.30pm, before presenting their presentation to councillors.

The campaign says that, after three years of closure, Dewsbury residents now need a clear plan to restore local health, exercise and swimming provision.

Campaign spokesperson Surraya Patel said: “For three years, the people of Dewsbury have been told to wait, while consultations, reports and temporary alternatives have failed to replace what our sports centre provided.

“Now we have new political leadership and cross-party support for reopening. We want to see that support translated into action.

“Dewsbury cannot be expected to wait until a future replacement facility is delivered. Children need somewhere to learn to swim now, older people need somewhere to stay active now, and families and community groups need accessible facilities now.”

Campaigners highlight recently-published primary school swimming figures which they believe demonstrate the impact that the closure of the sports centre is having on youngsters in the local community.

Surraya said: “They are children who are missing out on a basic life skill and a National Curriculum requirement.

“When a school says that swimming sessions are only available for half the year because Dewsbury Sports Centre has closed, we cannot seriously claim that alternative provision is equivalent.

“A pop-up pool can be useful as a temporary measure, but it is not a replacement for a permanent community sports centre.”

The campaign is calling on Kirklees Council to carry out a full impact assessment of the closure on school swimming, including attainment, cancelled sessions, travel time and lost curriculum time.

Campaigners also want the council to address the gap between the current closure and the proposed development of a new facility.

While welcoming the prospect of a new Dewsbury Sports Centre, the campaign says that a facility potentially not opening until around 2031 cannot be the only answer.

Surraya said: “We welcome investment in a new sports centre, but a future facility does not solve a problem that exists today.

“If Dewsbury is expected to wait until around 2031, we could be looking at more than eight years without equivalent permanent sports and leisure provision.

“Children cannot wait until 2031 to learn to swim. Older residents cannot wait until 2031 for accessible opportunities to exercise.

“If a new centre is the long-term solution, then where is the interim plan? We believe the council must properly explore whether repairing and reopening the existing centre can provide that bridge.”

The campaign will also hold a public meeting on Saturday, October 4, at 3pm, at Thornhill Lees Community Centre, where residents will be invited to discuss the future of Dewsbury’s sports and leisure provision and the next steps in the campaign.

Surraya added: “Our message is simple: three years of closure is enough. We want the council to make it work, find a practical solution and give Dewsbury its sports centre back.”