Crumbling concrete fears forces sports centre closure

Dewsbury Sports Centre has closed from today – 8 September – as Kirklees Council and Kirklees Active Leisure investigate the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in parts of the building.

Following recent evidence of the potential national hazard posed by RAAC, the council has been surveying local buildings to assess potential risks.

Council officers have now confirmed that they identified parts of the Dewsbury Sports Centre building to be made from RAAC.

As a precautionary measure, Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL) and the council have closed the whole building until further notice while further investigations take place.

A spokesman for the council said: “Due to the thoroughness and complexity of the survey work, we are unable to confirm when the building might reopen at this stage.

“A further update will be provided to KAL members and users of the centre as information emerges. Any queries should be directed to: KAL at 01484 766131 or contact.centre@kal.org.uk.

“Kirklees Council will also continue to survey local buildings to assess any potential risks to the public and take appropriate action.”