Trust could run leisure centre amid council cuts

Wakefield Council is considering a proposal to lease Lightwaves Leisure Centre to the Next Generation/Lightwaves Leisure and Community Trust which council chiefs say will ensure the building continues to be used as a sports and community facility.

A report will be discussed by members of the local authority’s cabinet next Tuesday which recommends leasing the centre to the trust for a term of 25 years, subject to a joint working agreement to secure its ongoing use as a community centre.

Wakefield Council’s corporate director for regeneration and economic growth, Andy Wallhead, said yesterday: “We will support the trust wherever possible to help make this project a success.

“The council is transferring the building to the community as part of renewing services to meet budget savings, and still ensuring it is available as a sports and community facility for the people of Wakefield.”

The activities which the trust is proposing for the centre will complement the council’s sporting activities at the Sun Lane Leisure Centre, a new multi-million pound swimming pool opening this summer.

All the current poolside activities at Lightwaves as well as fitness classes and gym will transfer to Sun Lane.

Other sports activities will end when Lightwaves closes as a council leisure centre, but the trust is proposing to maintain the indoor sports hall, activity and multi-function rooms, boxing club and former squash court.

The trust is proposing a wide range of activities including five-a-side football, cricket, badminton, martial arts, indoor bowls, hockey, table tennis, trampolining, yoga, meditation, a mobile beauty salon, ballroom dancing and bingo.

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