Council approves extra £6m needed for leisure centre plans

Senior councillors have approved £6m of additional funding to build a new leisure centre in Pontefract.

Wakefield Council was told the new Five Towns Leisure and Wellbeing Hub in Pontefract Park would cost more than originally thought after a report estimated that the total budget for the scheme would be £20m.

The proposals for the facility still have to be submitted for planning permission, which is expected to happen shortly, the council said.

Cllr Jacquie Speight, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport at Wakefield Council, said: “Our aim is to give people in the Five Towns area the opportunity to enjoy first class leisure facilities in a new and modern building.”

The proposed centre would house facilities including a 10-lane swimming pool, studio pool with moveable floor, and a splash pad water confidence area.

Other facilities would include a gym, exercise studios, a clip and climb activity, and café as well as meeting rooms for community use and referral rooms for exercise and weight management support.

Outside there would be tennis courts, an activity and exercise space, a full size synthetic grass pitch and car parking.

If planning is secured, work could start on site by the end of the year with the centre opening in the summer of 2020.