Sports centre closure will leave a lack of provision

The basis of the objection is that the Council have not indicated any intention to provide any similar facility in the same area. The Centre is attached to Whitcliffe Mount School and we understand that expansion plans for the school will result in closure of the Sports Centre.

We wish to point out to the Council that Kirklees Active Leisure efficiently provides many activities seven days a week at the Whitcliffe

Mount Centre for a wide age range of users, including partially-sighted and wheelchair sessions. On weekdays the bowling lanes are rarely out

of use between 8.30am and 10.30pm; all ages again.

The centre also provides a vital social function for many participants while also contributing to the Governments policy of encouraging the increasing retired section of the population to remain active and healthy.

We are also aware that Huddersfield Sports Centre, which may be held to be a reasonable alternative for Whitcliffe Mount users, could possibly

be unavailable about the same time (2016)when plans for their new Sports Centre comes to fruition.

Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre draws users from a wide area, some travelling eight miles or more from outside the Spenborough area such is the lack of suitable alternatives. The petition already shows post codes from Huddersfield, Calderdale, Bradford and Leeds along with those from

Kirklees.

To deprive such a large number of people, who do pay, of the chance to participate in healthy activities goes against the majority view of the

general public. Please Kirklees Council think again about alternative provision before the inevitable closure.

John Bolton

Gregory Springs Mount
Mirfield