Leisure centre rescue campaign fails

Plans to close a leisure centre have been confirmed despite cross-party efforts to save the facility.

Bradford Council announced it intended to shut Baildon Recreation Centre last year in order to save money.

The decision was called in for further scrutiny but, on Tuesday, councillors voted through the closure, with the centre set to shut in April.

Sarah Ferriby, the council's executive member for healthy people and places, said: "No one wishes to close facilities, but the council simply does not have the funds to keep everything going."

The authority - which last week announced proposals to put up council tax by up to 15% - said the aging and outdated building needed £913,000 worth of maintenance to keep it "safe, accessible and functional".

A report prepared by council officers said the centre was underused and offered a "poor" service, and closure would help save £1.25m overall in the next year.

Councillors from the Conservative, Green, and Lib Dem groups had all urged the authority to keep the venue open, with a campaign group asking for the decision to be delayed for a further six months

Lib Dem leader Brendan Stubbs was among those asking for a reprieve.

Speaking on Tuesday, he claimed the data and reports used to justify closure were "flawed".

"The report failed to take account of anything," he said.

"There were no surveys of users, no outreach to gather input.

"As someone whose child uses the centre, I knew nothing about the closure plans until they were published in executive papers.

"It is appalling that such poor quality information was used to justify a decision that affects so many residents."

Green Party leader Martin Love added: "There is so little detail and so little data to justify closing a facility like this, which is so important to the people of our area."

The authority said it had already reduced spending by £48m in 2024/25 with a further £40m of savings needed next year and £50m in each of the following four years.

Ferriby told the meeting: "Baildon Recreation Centre needs significant investment, including nearly half a million pounds for electrical work alone.

"When faced with such financial pressures, we must make difficult choices to prioritise essential services and maintain other vital leisure facilities across the district."

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