‘Gang-related activity’ and anti-social behaviour are said to have increased in Dewsbury schools since the town’s much-loved leisure centre closed its doors.

The sports centre, previously run by Kirklees Active Leisure, closed its doors last September after collapse-prone Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was found on site. The centre was then earmarked for permanent closure along with Colne Valley Leisure Centre and Batley Sports and Tennis Centre.

When the final decision was made, the Colne Valley and Batley centres were given a reprieve but Dewsbury Sports Centre remained closed, with campaigners continuing in their fight to bring back “the heart of their community”.

Earlier this year, former Cabinet Member for Corporate, Cllr Graham Turner (Labour, Golcar), said it was “unlikely” that the centre would re-open in 2024 but that the council would be developing a plan for sports provision in Dewsbury, with the feasibility of opening the “dry-side” in the Dewsbury centre being explored.

Councillor Tanisha Bramwell (Kirklees Community Independent, Dewsbury West) attended this week’s Cabinet meeting raising a question about the future of the centre. She said the closure of the site had a “serious impact” on many of her residents.

She continued: “In my ward we have had several schools that are seeing anti-social behaviour and gang-related activity play a huge part in our communities.

“The sports centre did not just bridge the gap when it comes to adults, it bridged the gap to grassroots organisations. Those grassroots organisations utilised that building and were able to set up play schemes that intervened and worked on preventative measures for young people.

“They are not able to do that now and we’re already losing assets constantly.”

Councillor Bramwell asked if the re-opening of the centre was a “priority” of Kirklees Council’s Cabinet.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Cathy Scott (Kirklees Community Alliance), who represents the Dewsbury East ward where the sports facility is located said she understood the impact the closure had had on the area and described the situation as a “very complex” matter.

She told the meeting: “It is in our sights – we do want sports facilities in Dewsbury town centre but if it’s tomorrow, we can’t guarantee tomorrow, but for the future, it is in our sights and that’s what we want. We want to support the people of Dewsbury and Kirklees to access healthy sports.

“And also, you’ve talked about the crime and anti-social behaviour. I’m absolutely with you, 100 percent – it wasn’t just a sports facility, it was used for other activities, so we have got that commitment.”

Councillor Zahid Kahut (Batley West, KCI) also raised a question on the subject and said he understood there was an outstanding report on the RAAC. In response, Cllr Scott said she couldn’t comment but would take up the subject at a later date.