Leisure centre supporters call for it to reopen

Campaigners calling for a leisure centre which was closed three years ago to reopen have staged a protest in Dewsbury.

The town's sports centre initially closed in 2023 when Raac - reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete - was discovered at the Kirklees Council-run site before closing for good last year.

The council said earlier this year that £35m funding for a new centre had been secured, but was still in the planning stages.

Surraya Patel from the campaign said: "Dewsbury cannot be expected to wait until a future replacement is delivered. We believe the council must properly explore whether repairing and reopening the existing centre can provide that bridge."

She added: "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."

The group said while welcoming the prospect of a new Dewsbury sports centre, a facility potentially not opening until around 2031 could not be the only answer.

It is now calling on the council to carry out a full impact assessment of the closure on school swimming.

Patel added: "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."

Patel 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."

Speaking from the protest, independent councillor for Dewsbury West, Ammar Anwar, said ensuring the existing centre was free of Raac and reopening it would cost a "fraction" of what a new leisure centre would.

"Our residents have to go out of town to Wakefield, Leeds and Huddersfield to get those services they used to get at the sports centre," he added.

"Coming from today I want the Reform administration to listen to the people and listen to the North Kirklees councillors."

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