Calderdale Council has secured £12.2 million of national funding to support its ambitious plans for a brand new swimming pool and leisure centre in Halifax. This comes after the Government announced the successful bidders for round one of its Levelling Up Fund(external link).
The Council bid for the money to help deliver top-class facilities for the whole community, on the site of the existing North Bridge Leisure Centre in Halifax.
A modern gym, six-lane pool, sports hall, wellness suite and adventure climb are just some of the state-of-the-art features which will support people of all ages and abilities to be more active and healthier, whilst bringing more people into the town centre to connect with others and support the local economy.
The Government’s £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund is being invested in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport and investing in cultural and heritage assets.
This week has also seen the announcement of another share of national funding for Calderdale, with £390,000 of estates regeneration money from the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund going towards the second phase of an extensive programme of work to regenerate the Beech Hill area of Halifax.
Improvements to 70 properties in the area will make them warmer, healthier and cheaper to heat through energy efficient features, complementing the ongoing work on phase one of the project to build 106 new affordable homes. These projects support Calderdale’s economic regeneration and work to tackle the climate emergency.
Cllr Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, said:
“We are ambitious for the future of Calderdale. Our plans for the fantastic new leisure centre and pool, and the exciting works at Beech Hill, show our commitment to people’s health and wellbeing and our inclusive economic recovery.
“We are thrilled with the funding we have received. This is national recognition that our plans will be of real benefit to local communities and the strength of our area.
“Our teams worked extremely hard on the funding bids and continue to put huge amounts of passion and energy into providing fabulous new facilities for local people which also tackle the climate emergency and help reduce inequalities.”