PLANS for a new leisure centre in the Spen Valley could move a step forward if approved by Kirklees Council's Cabinet.

It would mark an investment of £15m and, if given the green light, would see a bespoke two-storey leisure centre built with fitness and swimming provision in one building, housed on the existing Spenborough pool site (pictured). The building process is expected to take two years and while this gets underway, the existing pool will be closed.

The plans for the new centre include:

• An eight lane 25m pool with seating gallery

• A five lane 20m training pool with moveable floor

• A fitness suite

• Two exercise studios

• A spin studio

• Changing facilities

• Facilities for people with a disability and complex needs.

It is proposed that the existing athletics track, fitness suite and studios will stay open throughout the build.

Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council said: “Our financial investment in a new leisure centre in Spenborough will directly lead to a social investment in the long-term health of our residents for years to come.

"KAL, our key partner on this development, will be offering a range of affordable fitness and leisure activities that are essential to encouraging people to increase their activity levels. We know that being more active is essential to improving wellbeing and living a healthy life and I’m confident the new leisure centre will inspire and support local people to make good use of the modern facilities available."

He added: “This build is all about delivering on our promises to provide a fantastic leisure centre for people living in the Spen Valley. We have considered how best to deliver this new facility, whilst continuing to provide as full a range of services as possible for those who use the centre.

"We know that there will be some disruption from closing the pool for up to two years but I am confident that by working together in a creative way, we can minimise the impact on those who use all our pools in North Kirklees, whilst looking forward to a brand new leisure centre.

“We are committed to working with schools to make the transition to the new pool as seamless as possible so that children can continue to have swimming lessons during the build period.

"By replacing the current pool, which is reaching the end of its usable life, with modern pools designed to offer flexible swimming opportunities, we are making sure that generations of young people from the Spen Valley will be able to swim here in the future.”