Permanent Closure of Dewsbury Sports Centre Confirmed

Today, 5 November, the council confirmed that Dewsbury Sports Centre, which had been closed temporarily, will now be shut down permanently.

The centre was initially closed in September 2022 after the discovery of unsafe Raac concrete within the building.

According to Kirklees Council, refurbishing both the wet and dry areas would cost an estimated £10 million—funds the council says it just cannot afford.

The sports centre had also been the most financially unsustainable of all Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL) facilities, reportedly losing over £1.1 million annually. 

Demolishing the building and converting the site to a car park is said to cost about £3.5 million. Additionally, ending a lease for the gym facilities could bring further expenses.

Today, campaigners gathered outside the centre, urging the council to comply. Local campaigner Surraya Patel expressed the centre’s importance, saying, “It’s vital for Dewsbury. It serves all members of the community, offering a safe and affordable space for everyone.”

Kirklees Council formally decided on the closure this afternoon.

Councillor Beverley Addy, cabinet member for adult social care and health, commented, “This was a difficult decision, and not one we made lightly. That’s why we’ve spent a year looking at all the options, but we can’t escape the fact that the building needs multimillion-pound improvements just to reopen as well as an ongoing subsidy of over £1m each year.”