Preparatory work for £17.5m leisure centre under way

Preparatory work on the site of the new £17.5m leisure centre due to be built at Sedbergh Playing Fields in Bradford will get under way next week.

Initial work will involve earthworks and the felling of 119 trees.

By the time the building project is complete more trees will have been planted on the site than are being removed, the city council said.

The new energy efficient leisure centre will include features such as an activity pool with a movable floor to help younger or less able swimmers enter the water safely.

It will also include a six lane 25m swimming pool, two aerobic / activity studios, gym / fitness centre and three winter sports pitches.

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment and sport, said: “These are the first steps towards making this exciting new development become a reality. This much needed new facility will offer the latest facilities in a modern and energy efficient environment.
“We hope this sports centre will inspire more people to get active so they can live a happier, healthier life in the Bradford district.

“We are aware that removing over 100 trees may worry some people but this work is essential to clear space for construction work and enable us to create properly managed and landscaped green spaces on the site. Ultimately we will plant more trees than we are planning to fell.”