Plans submitted for £20 million leisure centre

The flagship leisure facility, proposed for Pontefract Park, will be subject to usual standard planning process, which could take up to 13 weeks.

If granted, it is expected that work will start on site in December this year and be complete in June 2020.

Coun Jacquie Speight, cabinet member for culture leisure and sport, said: “We’re now at a very exciting landmark and I am delighted that people will be able to get a real feel for what Wakefield Council want to deliver for our residents in the Five Towns.

“If approved it will be the largest of its kind ever built in this district and is an opportunity for us to redefine leisure across the Five Towns, for the benefit of all our residents and future generations.”

The centre will include a 25-metre pool, a studio pool with a moveable floor, four 3G turf tennis courts, a gym with over 115 pieces of equipment, a cafe, soft play area, meeting rooms, outdoor changing facilities and room for 250 cars.

Wakefield Council will soon be hosting a series of road show events across the area for people to have a closer look.

Meanwhile, plans for Castleford Tigers’ new stadium and Axiom retail park next to Junction 32 of the M62 went in display last week and more than 700 people attending the two-day consultation.

Steve Renshaw, Planning Director at Lateral Property Group, who are behind the plans said: “The feedback from attendees was extremely positive on both the retail aspects of the proposals.

“We will consider the feedback received before we submit a reserved matters planning application in the next few weeks.”

Last week the Express reported that the stadium would be 10,000 all-seater, when in fact it will have over 3,300 seats, with the remaining standing.