Leisure centre build to begin as closing date set
CALDERDALE COUNCIL has announced its major leisure centre in Halifax will close to customers from Sunday, March 6, for demolition to begin, followed by the beginning of building a new centre.
The council estimates the new multi-million pound leisure centre will open early in 2024 on the same site as the current one, at North Bridge, Halifax.
The date will also impact on arrangements for elections which are to be held in that period, starting with this year’s local elections in May – the venue is the council’s prime venue to count votes from around the district and declare the results.
The council says the new leisure centre and swimming pool – green-lighted by councillors at this month’s meeting of the full Calderdale Council – will bring state-ofthe-art facilities to the borough.
Plans for the site include a six-lane, 25 metre main swimming pool and separate large teaching pool, a dedicated spinning studio, an adventure climb, a sauna, a café, a Centre for Independent Living, an eight court sports hall, a large gym and fitness suite, and dance studios.
The new-build also includes energy-efficient technologies to contribute towards the council’s carbon-neutral targets, says the authority.
Plans are now moving
apace, and the existing centre will close to customers from Sunday, March 6, 2022, the council has announced.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration and Strategy, Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot), said the new leisure centre is a major investment for the council and demonstrates its commitment to supporting residents to
lead more active lifestyles and reducing inequalities.
“This fantastic new facility will also complement wider regeneration works around Halifax town centre, making this an exciting and inspiring time for the town.
“I’m delighted that we’re now at a point where we can start to progress with this development.
“We’re working hard to get this project moving quickly, so local people can enjoy the many benefits that this centre will bring, as soon as possible,” she said.
The new centre has been contentious largely because of concerns from some clubs including Halifax Synchronised Swimming Club who have said the depth of the new pool is not deep enough for them to use it.
The council is contacting gym members who have been offered the option of the use of alternative sites at Brighouse, Sowerby
Bridge and Todmorden with additional classes are being accommodated at these other sites, and members have the option to freeze or cancel their membership.