Calderdale Leisure Services: Building a Better Future for Everyone

  1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. Calderdale Leisure Services: Building a Better Future for Everyone


Calderdale’s Leisure Services are undergoing significant improvements to make physical activity more accessible for everyone. With support from Active Calderdale, Leisure Services is introducing innovative systems and enhanced facilities designed to create better conditions for priority groups to stay active and healthy.

Here’s what’s happening and why it matters.

Why the Changes Are Needed

Leisure centres are vital for improving health and wellbeing, but not everyone has the same access or experience. To address this, Calderdale is taking steps to better understand who uses these facilities—and who doesn’t. This knowledge will help shape a more inclusive, diverse, and accessible leisure service for the entire community.

What’s Changing?

A new electronic access system and a modernised booking platform are being introduced across Calderdale’s leisure centres.

Launch Schedule:

Key Features:

  • A membership card system for easy access and bookings, including new key fobs and phone stickers
  • Improved data collection to identify gaps in service and enhance accessibility

This new system will provide valuable insights into how Calderdale’s leisure facilities are used, enabling the local authority to reshape its offerings to better meet the needs of priority groups.

The Benefits for the Community

  1. Streamlined Access and Booking:
    The electronic system simplifies how users enter leisure centres and book classes or activities, ensuring a smoother experience.
  2. Inclusive Opportunities:
    By analysing usage data, the council can develop activities and facilities tailored to all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
  3. Improved Facilities:
    The data collected will guide investments in facilities, ensuring they meet the needs of the community.
  4. Closer Community Access:
    New community venues are being planned, bringing leisure services closer to people who face barriers accessing the main centres.

Supporting a Smooth Transition

To ensure the changes are seamless, the council has:

  • Deployed extra staff during launch weeks to provide on-site support
  • Shared information through social media and leaflets to keep members informed
  • Created a straightforward process for issuing new membership cards

The Bigger Vision

These changes are part of a long-term effort to create a leisure service that truly serves everyone. With the new system in place, Calderdale will gain a deeper understanding of how to improve access for priority groups, such as older adults and individuals with mobility challenges.

The ultimate goals include:

  • Shaping policies and practices to make leisure services more inclusive and accessible
  • Increasing the number of members from priority groups
  • Supporting the health and wellbeing of all Calderdale residents

A Message from David Brook

David Brook, Head of Sports Services, shared his enthusiasm for the project:

“The new electronic access system is now operational at Sowerby Bridge, and we’re excited to roll it out at Brighouse Pool and Fitness Centre on 25th November. These changes will make it easier for everyone to access and enjoy our facilities and help us ensure our activities offer is as inclusive as it can be for the residents of Calderdale. For those unable to visit our main centres, we’re also establishing community venues to bring activities closer to home.”

Next Steps

  • The new system will launch at Todmorden Sports Centre following lessons learned from the initial rollouts.
  • Community venues will be expanded to improve accessibility for priority groups.
  • Data collected will guide action plans for each leisure centre, ensuring the needs of all users are met.

Be Part of the Change

These improvements benefit everyone. Your participation and feedback are key to shaping leisure services that truly work for the residents of Calderdale. Whether you’re a current member or considering joining, there’s never been a better time to get involved and get active.