Work to demolish old leisure centre in Halifax begins ahead of £35m plan for new one
Senior councillors say it is a “major milestone”
Work to demolish Halifax’s old leisure centre – in preparation for building a new one – will be visible to people from this week.
North Bridge car park will be closed from September 22 until the new £35 million leisure centre, incorporating a new swimming pool for the town, is completed, now estimated to be in 2027.
Work at the North Bridge Leisure Centre site to prepare for construction includes installing safety fencing around the site, demolishing buildings around the old sports hall, site investigations, essential groundworks, tree protection work and updating condition surveys for culverts and drains.
The car park needs to be closed to ensure this can all be done safely, says the council.
Senior councillors say it is a “major milestone”.
The project has been much delayed, including being placed on hiatus for a year when spiralling inflation in autumn 2022 pushed up construction costs significantly, causing frustration among some councillors and members of the public.
Critics say delays have left Halifax without major leisure provision for several years, given the former Halifax Swimming Pool at Skircoat Road was closed during the Covid pandemic and the council decided it would not be re-opened.
Senior councillors say the detailed design stage – the final step before the building phase starts for the new centre – is also progressing well, ensuring every detail for it is meticulously planned and construction-ready, working with contractor Tilbury Douglas.
It will include a main six-lane swimming pool with spectator seating, a learner pool, a refurbished eight-court sports hall, a 120-station fitness suite, three multi-functional studios, a dedicated cycling studio, a children’s soft play and adventure area, a cafe and community area, “wet” and “dry” changing spaces including a Changing Places facility for disabled people.
There will also be some “wellbeing” spaces for health and community organisations to use and the building will incorporate energy-efficient air source heat pumps and underground environmental systems to collect and slowly release rainwater to help prevent flooding.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration and Transport, Coun Sarah Courtney (Lab, Calder) said it was “brilliant” to be moving forward with a key aspiration for the town, a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to deliver high-quality sports, leisure, wellbeing and social facilities.
“The designs are looking fantastic and we’re getting closer to the modern, accessible and sustainable leisure destination taking shape,” she said.
Coun Danielle Durrans (Lab, Ovenden), Cabinet member for Public Services and Communities, said the council wanted everyone to have every chance to be more active, helping achieve good health and wellbeing.
“The new leisure centre is a big step forward in making sure everyone has access to top-quality sports and recreational facilities – inclusivity has been built into the design from the outset, showing our commitment to creating a welcoming place for all,” she said.