Plans submitted for major revamp of leisure centre

An ageing leisure complex in Gipton could be transformed into a state-of-the art fitness and wellbeing hub.

Plans for Fearnville Leisure Centre include two pools, a spin room, a skatepark, fitness studios and a cafe.

It is hoped the revamped site will urge residents to be more active as the Gipton area has a high obesity rate, said Leeds City Council.

The council said it wanted to “create something that is a real source of pride for people across east Leeds.”

The outdoor space will also benefit from new trees and landscaping, which will “increase biodiversity, with insects, birds and other wildlife”, the council added.

Due to the Gipton & Harehills and Killingbeck & Seacroft wards being densely populated and with low life expectancy, the council said the newly improved centre could “improve the health and wellbeing of its residents”.

An application for planning permission has been submitted by the council and, if approved, it is hoped that work could get under way in the middle of 2024.

The old leisure centre will remain while the new facility is being built, but it will be demolished once construction is complete.

Funding is expected to come from external grants, the council’s capital programme and developer contributions.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, public health and active lifestyles, said: “We want to create something that is a real source of pride for people across east Leeds and has a positive impact on their health and wellbeing for many, many years to come.”