Huddersfield's army of indoor bowlers have been given a ray of hope.

They have met with Kirklees councillor Jean Calvert and been given assurances that strenuous efforts are being made to find a new venue for the sport in Huddersfield.

Bowlers have been told one possible option would be to use The Dome at Leeds Road playing fields which currently houses crown green bowling.

The bowlers - who fear for the future of the sport once Huddersfield Sports Centre shuts - were told the facilities could be changed to provide indoor rinks or possibly extended to incorporate both indoor and crown green.

Kirklees estimates the costs of the former to be about £200,000, while an extension would be in the region of £500,000.

The bowlers would be expected to meet running costs as the council struggles with massive budget cuts..

Bowling dome at the Leeds Road Playing Fields.
Bowling dome at the Leeds Road Playing Fields.

The Dome idea has been welcomed by representatives of various bowling groups, who currently use the Sports Centre several days a week.

There are more than 400 players in various leagues and competitions and they have been left angry and disappointed with the decision not to have indoor bowling in the £36m Leisure Centre currently being built at Springwood.

The bowlers’ representatives met Clr Calvert today and Damien Talbot, secretary of Huddersfield Indoor Bowling Club, said: “This meeting has shown there is a genuine will to provide a facility and a number of options are being worked on.

“We have to wait for developments”.

The meeting was the second between the council and the bowlers since the decision in August not to include facilities in the new centre.

The bowlers have argued that many of those who use the current rinks at Huddersfield and those at Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre, which is also to shut, are elderly and need a way of keeping fit and healthy.