Plans submitted for Five Towns Leisure

​Plans for the £20.8million Five Towns Leisure and Wellbeing Hub have been submitted for planning permission.

The flagship leisure facility, which is being proposed for Pontefract Park, will be subject to usual standard planning process, which could take up to 13 weeks. If planning permission is granted it is expected that work will start on site in December 2018 and be complete in June 2020.

​Cllr Jacquie Speight, Cabinet Member for Culture Leisure and Sport, said: “We are now at a very exciting landmark in this project and I am delighted that people will be able to get a real feel for what Wakefield Council want to deliver for our residents in the Five Towns.

“Our plans show state-of-the-art leisure and wellbeing facilities in a modern fit-for-purpose building which will provide first class services. If approved it will be the largest of its kind ever built in this district and is an opportunity for us to redefine leisure across the Five Towns, for the benefit of all our residents and future generations.”

The proposed hub will include:

• A 10-lane, 25 metre swimming pool, studio pool with moveable floor, and a splash pad water confidence area, along with a pool viewing gallery
• A 115-station health and fitness gym, exercise studios and a dedicated spin studio
• A café space and servery, children’s soft activity area and ‘clip and climb’ activity
• Multi-use meeting rooms
• 4 tennis courts, a full size 3G (synthetic grass) pitch, outdoor interactive play area, wellness garden and outdoor seating
• 250-space car park and cycle parking, including electric vehicle charge points
• Outdoor changing facilities and external toilets

The new facilities will help to increase sport and physical activity levels across the district. They will also play a part in tackling health issues such as childhood obesity, long term respiratory and circulatory diseases, mental health conditions and would help with reducing social isolation affecting older people.

People can view the plans and comment on the application on Wakefield Council’s Planning Portal at www.wakefield.gov.uk/planning using application number 18/01441/FUL.

Over the coming weeks Wakefield Council will be hosting a series of road show events at venues across the Five Towns area and the wider district, where people will have the chance to find out more about the proposed facility and speak to staff. Details of confirmed events will be published on the Council’s website.