Takeover hope for closure-threat leisure centre

A leisure centre in Leeds looks set to close but could be taken over by a community group

Leeds Council's executive board will meet on Wednesday to consider recommendations to close South Leeds Sports Centre in Beeston, but allow Tiger 11 more time to develop plans to take over its management.

According to Leeds Council, the recommendation to close the centre is down to falling visitor numbers and the 25,000 per month running cost to the local authority, which is "causing financial strain in the context of broader budget pressures".

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But it says that if the decision is taken to close the centre, this would not impinge on any future plans of Tiger 11 to run it as the community group's proposals include a refurbishment programme, which would see the centre closed for a period of time as part of their takeover.

Leeds Council's executive board member with responsibility for leisure, Adam Ogilvie, said: "This centre has undoubtedly been a vital facility to the community in south Leeds over many years. This is why we took the decision earlier this year to keep the centre open during the summer period so that residents could continue to use the facilities while talks were held with Tiger 11.

"We will continue to talk to Tiger 11 while they develop a proposal that they can take forward to the executive board, outlining how they can viably run the centre in the future."

Tiger 11, which was set up to create community benefits for Beeston and Holbeck, has submitted various proposals to look at running the centre as a community enterprise.

One of the proposals to be considered at the board meeting will be for the council to enter into a six-month agreement with Tiger 11 to allow the group to further develop its plans.