Kirklees councillors confirm sports centres in Batley and the Colne Valley will remain open
It follows a campaign involving thousands of people
Senior Kirklees councillors have confirmed sports centres in Batley and the Colne Valley will remain open.
They were under threat, as the struggling local authority looks to save more than £45m.
However, Dewsbury Sports Centre will remain closed after concrete prone to crumbling (RAAC) was discovered on site.
In September, the council started a six-week public consultation, 17,860 people responded.
Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, said: “Thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation. Your views and ideas have been vital. They’ve made a real, and positive, difference to the proposals.
“Council staff have worked hard with their colleagues at Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL) to come up with an offer that makes health and fitness services available to as many residents as we possibly can. I’m pleased we’ve been able to broaden the leisure centre provision and that we’re able to do so within the financial limitations we set out originally.
“It’s still a tough financial climate out there for anyone running sports facilities anywhere in the country. And we haven’t yet been able to come up with a viable option for every centre. But if we can keep up the level of support that’s been shown for Kirklees centres during the consultation, the future looks a lot more positive than it did a few weeks ago.”