Calderdale Council has submitted plans for a new leisure centre for Halifax. The complex, to be built on the site of the existing North Bridge Leisure Centre, is designed to help improve the health and wellbeing of residents with a wider range of facilities.
The plans include feedback from public consultations held in the summer of 2018 and March 2020. In addition to a modern gym, a six-lane pool and sports hall/dance studio facilities, the new leisure centre will offer a range of options to encourage people to get active, including a wellness suite and adventure climb.
To support the Council’s target to be carbon neutral by 2038 if not sooner, the specification for the new leisure centre will seek to incorporate the latest energy efficient and carbon footprint reducing technology throughout the building. This will include innovative pool filtration systems, rainwater harvesting and energy efficient heating.
A key condition for the new leisure centre is that it must be self-funding, so that the income generated is used to repay the amount borrowed for construction.
This is reflected within the plans for the new centre. Current estimates suggest, for example, that the annual utilities bill will provide a significant saving, costing £110,000 per annum less than was paid previously by North Bridge Leisure Centre and Halifax Swimming Pool combined.
Work on the technical designs will then continue throughout the Summer and Autumn, with approval from Cabinet then being requested in the Autumn. If approved, work on site is expected to start in early 2022 and completed in 2023.
“The new leisure centre is one of the key projects within the Calderdale Next Chapter transformation programme which is investing in major improvements right across the borough,” said Cllr Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and strategy.
“I’m delighted that we’ve reached this stage of the development. It’s such an exciting project which will bring pleasure and enjoyment to so many of our residents.”
