WORK on the new £35.5m Huddersfield sports centre has been brought forward – but Kirklees taxpayers won’t know how much they have paid towards it until it is built.

Supermarket giant Tesco will be providing a contribution towards the cost as the current centre will be demolished to make way for a new store, but again they are remaining tight-lipped.

The new centre will be on the Spring Grove car park which will close for good on Sunday.

The Examiner yesterday contacted both Kirklees and Tesco to try to find out how much each will pay.

Kirklees said the amount is commercially sensitive. “The figure will become a public record when the council’s land at Old Leeds Road is transferred to Tesco after the new sports centre is completed,” said a spokesperson

When Tesco was asked how much it would be paying, all a spokeswoman would say was: “We’re pleased the development is progressing and are looking forward to the point that we can start on the new store.”

When pushed, she replied: “The figure is confidential.”

Closing the car park on Sunday, instead of the original May 20 date, means 400 spaces will be lost for good.

Kirklees Council says preparation work for the leisure centre build will begin on that site on Tuesday, May 7.

The sports centre is being built to replace the current leisure centre on Southgate. The existing building, costing £900,000, was opened by Princess Anne in July 1973.

But Tesco wanted the site for a new supermarket and have contributed towards a new leisure centre. Tesco will begin building once the new leisure facility is open to the public.

The current Viaduct Street store site is expected to be developed for a variety of uses including a hotel, apartments, offices and retail.

The town’s new leisure centre will feature a 25m eight-lane swimming pool, a teaching pool, a large sports hall and a smaller sports hall, a climbing facility, squash courts and space for indoor bowling.

A spokesman for the council said: “Alternative council long stay or on-street parking is available around Huddersfield town centre ring road.”

Car parks at Springwood, Cambridge Road car park and on-street, Kingsbridge, Milford Street car park and on-street, Chapel Street and St Andrew’s Road car park are alternative sites. Parking costs are £2.50 for up to five hours and £4 for up to 10 hours.

Huddersfield bus station levels four, five and six are now long stay.

Tariffs vary so visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/parking or call the parking office on 01484 223222 for more details.