| Sports and Leisure Facilities
in Garforth and Kippax.
Following recent media coverage regarding the proposed plans
for the closure of sports facilities in both Garforth and Kippax.
Garforth Residents Association are disappointed and concerned
about the lack of consultaion that Leeds City Council appear to
have engaged in to date.
There would appear to have been little consultation and no thought
of asking the communities what they want.
The facilities at present are thought by most to be less than
adequate for the local population and those from the wider communities
in surrounding villages who are deserving of better.
These communities consist of hardworking people who contribute
an enormous amount to Leeds |City Council through tax and rates
payments. We have excellent schools and Colleges in this community
with pupils who no doubt could benefit from improved and up to
date facilities.
The elderly and retired people should be encouraged to make use
of activity focused pastimes to help maintain health and fitness.
The future health and welbeing of all our people is a major issue
which is discussed Nationally every day in news and current events,
from diet to exercise and the future Olympic Games in 2012.
We are asking that the Council Leisure Services start again ,
broaden and extend their consultation process to include users
of the facilities they are planning to close. Ask those local
groups, schools, clubs, organisations, community groups and individuals
what they want, after all it is those people who use the facilities
now.
We expect facilities to improved not removed.
We would like to suggest that the Leisure services hold a local
consultation meeting, which Garforth Residents Association will
be happy to facilitate. Inviting Planning Officers, Local Councillors,
User Groups and members of the Public to attend and express their
thoughts on the matter.
Our immediate thoughts are a wish that the sports facilities
be improved and expanded to include a Swimming, Fitness and Leisure
Centre that can be used by the wider local community and is open
and affordable to all.
Philip Dunwell
Chairperson
Garforth Residents Association
|