Revealed: £5m leisure centre plan includes gym

The first drawings of proposals for a new £5m leisure centre at the former Minsthorpe Pool site have been revealed.
Artist's impression of the new leisure centre.Artist's impression of the new leisure centre.
Artist's impression of the new leisure centre.

Wakefield Council confirmed the old site at Ash Grove had been selected for the new facility in March.

And now it has released images of the plans, which include a six-lane swimming pool, gym and fitness suite, as part of a public consultation.

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People can have their say on the plans at a number of consultation events being organised across the south east.

Coun Les Shaw, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: “This is a very important and exciting project for the people of the south east.

“We want to ensure that we get it right for residents and are asking them to look at the proposals and share their views with us.

“I would like to encourage as many people as possible to have their say, either by completing an online questionnaire, or coming to a community event.”

The council closed Minsthorpe Swimming Pool in 2013.

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And cabinet approved plans to build a new £5m pool at Minsthorpe Community College in November 2014.

But those proposals were scrapped last December and the site was deemed “not viable”.

The new centre at the original site will have a gym which can accommodate classes for up to 40 people at a time.

It would also feature a pool-side seating area and viewing area.

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The council said it is still working with consultants and architects to develop the plans further.

And the proposals will be considered by council planners in September and, if approved, the centre could open by the end of 2017.

The consultations, which will be hosted by council staff to give information to visitors, runs from July 30 until August 20.

The first consultation takes place at Hemsworth Library on August 5, from 9.30am-4pm.

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There are also consultations at South Elmsall Market on August 9, South Elmsall Library on August 12 and the former Ash Grove site on August 17 and 18.

People can also take part in the consultation online.

To have your say, visit www.wakefield.gov.uk.