Community fights to save Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre

Campaigners and politicians are making a ‘big push’ to save an under-threat sailing centre based at Yeadon Tarn.

Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre (LSAC) faces permanent closure under a cost saving proposal by Active Leeds, which is run by Leeds City Council, says the Yorkshire Evening Post.

The centre provides a large array of watersports and outdoor activities including canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing and more.

But the council faces a £119m budget shortfall for 2021/22.

Campaigners are now planning a community takeover of the centre, if the council chooses to stop funding it.

They are calling businesses, community organisations and social enterprises to join them in forming a bid for a community asset transfer.

Businesses and social enterprises are encouraged to register their interest by emailing save.lsac20@gmail.com

Leeds North West MP Alex Sobel, who has previous experience of developing similar community bids for council assets, is backing the campaign.

“LSAC is a hugely important resource in our community, and we cannot let it close without a fight,” Sobel told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“The Save LSAC campaign have been effective and strategic in the way they have gone about their campaigning efforts so far.

“We need a joined-up approach and make a big push for community ownership in order to save the sailing centre for all its current and future users.”