Work begins on Halifax leisure centre project

Construction has begun on a new leisure centre in Halifax, after preparation works were set underway at the town’s North Bridge site. The works coincide with the detailed design stage being finalised.

When completed, facilities at the centre will include a six-lane swimming pool with spectator seating, a learner pool, 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 and a café and community area.

A wet changing village and a Changing Places facility for disabled people and separate dry change facilities for sports hall and gym use. The Council is working with Visits Unlimited to ensure the facilities are accessible for all.

There will also be several wellbeing spaces, where health and community organisations can locate their services, creating closer connections between health, leisure and active wellbeing.

The project is driven by Calderdale Council, which will own the site. The council has secured £12.2m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund to help fund the new facility. Earlier this year, the council appointed Tilbury Douglas Construction as contractor to deliver the detailed designs for the project.

The facility will feature a wide range of energy-efficient, sustainable features, contributing to Calderdale’s Climate Action Plan and the borough’s target for net-zero carbon emissions by 2038. These include air source heat pumps to provide energy-efficient, low-carbon heat.