£1.2m revamp planned for Leeds leisure centre

PLANS to pump £1.2m into a leisure centre in North West Leeds as part of a “wide ranging” refurbishment programme will be discussed by council bosses this week.

Leeds City Council’s executive board will have the chance to support the revamp at Aireborough Leisure Centre and also back a plan for the facility to become the new home for a local community hub.

Set to be given a face-lift as part of the scheme will be cubicle, shower and toilet facilities in the swimming changing rooms and the pool hall, with the pool deck retiled and improvements made to the walled areas.

Work to improve the reception, entrance to the car park and the front of the building is also proposed.

The community hubs facility would provide information and advice to local residents on matters such as council tax, benefits and housing and access to job shops.

As part of plans set out in the report, Guiseley Library will relocate to a new home at the leisure centre to form part of the new community hub, which will also feature a new café.

The council said that by moving the library into the leisure centre, it will allow it to release a surplus library building and use some of the savings to reinvest in the community hub.

Cllr James Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member with responsibility for sport, said: “I am pleased that we are now in a position to provide further details of our £1.2m refurbishment programme of Aireborough Leisure Centre to the executive board. We want to make our leisure centres somewhere that offer both excellent facilities and a positive visitor experience for users, and this revamp which will see improvements made both internally and externally, will help ensure that we are meeting these aims at of Aireborough Centre.”

Cllr Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, added: “The development of the community hub programme offers a completely new way of working. Community hubs place integrated, accessible services where they are most needed: at the heart of local communities.

“Our plans will see the creation of a community hub, offering help, advice and information on issues such as housing, council tax and access to job shops in one new home at Aireborough Leisure Centre. This is an exciting prospect for Guiseley and one we are looking forward to progressing.”