Planning for new Halifax swimming pool and leisure centre hit with delays

Artist impression of the new North Bridge Leisure centre and swimming pool

Plans for a brand-new complex on the site of the existing North Bridge Leisure Centre, have been developed and are progressing as part of the Calderdale Next Chapter transformation programme.

However, the COVID pandemic has caused some disruption to the project.

Calderdale Council said that plans have progressed and surveys and ground investigation work have continued on site.

The design and planning process is underway and it’s hoped that technical designs will be presented for further approvals by Autumn this year.

The new leisure centre will provide both wet and dry facilities at one central site, based at the current North Bridge Leisure Centre site.

Facilities will include pool and water-based activities, an 8 court sports hall, a gym and various other health and wellbeing activities.

The delays come on the back of Halifax swimming pool closing permanently due to severe structural deterioration.

The site is over 50 years old and before the enforced lockdown closure, it had been subject to numerous maintenance problems and system failures.

It has required continued repairs for many years to allow its continued operation. Some of its systems are now obsolete and have become increasingly difficult to repair as parts are no longer available.

These ongoing issues have worsened due to the closure period and significant, costly, further work would have been required to make the site safe and useable. Various options for a full or part reopening were being considered.

Unfortunately, the pool site suffered further significant damage over the Christmas and New Year period when the 50-year-old heating system at the premises failed.

The extreme temperature change caused extensive damage to the pool tank and surround, pool hall walls, interior tiles, the squash court floor and ceiling of the dance studio.

Further, less visible damage may also have been caused, and the structure continues to deteriorate meaning there are potential major safety hazards at the site.