Sports centre meeting as its closure looms

Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox has called the meeting to discuss the demise of Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre, which will be shut down next month.

She has invited David Sheard, leader of Kirklees Council, after the local authority decided not to keep the centre open after a redevelopment of neighbouring Withcliffe Mount School.

Also invited is Alasdair Brown, chief executive of Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL), the charitable trust which manages to sports centre, along with KAL and council staff.

Mrs Cox said they would be on hand to answer questions about the closure and future sporting facilities.

She said: “Kirklees Council has taken the decision not to retain the sports centre when a new school is built at the site.

“The date for its closure has now been set as May 20.

“In some cases, alternative facilities and locations have already been offered to users of the centre.

“In other cases, such as with indoor bowls, the council has decided it can no longer subsidise provision to the extent it has in the past.

“I want to know how the closure will affect those who use the sports centre and where they will go once it closes.

“Most importantly of all, if there is anything else the council and Kirklees Active Leisure can do to help them, I want to make sure they do that.”

The meeting will be held at the Whitcliffe Mount centre on Friday, April 15, at 7pm.

Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre was opened in 1974 by Spenborough District Council.