This film is part of Free

Half a Lifetime

Leeds Council’s elaborate plan to redevelop sports facilities in the city receives close scrutiny from this film’s local commentator.

Amateur film 1978 9 mins

From the collection of:

Logo for Yorkshire Film Archive

Overview

This film offers a thorough examination of Leeds Council’s goal to revitalise sports facilities in the 1970s. The commentator gives his opinion on the state of affairs regarding Leeds’ sports facilities throughout, as we are presented with images of the pool and Quarry Hill flats. The film details many potential outcomes for the concurrent scheme, but history chose another interesting path.

Despite plans to demolish Leeds International Pool in the 1970s, a scheme which is referred to in the film, the building remained open to the public until 2007. It was jointly replaced by the Aquatics Centre at the John Charles Centre for Sport and The Edge sports centre at the University of Leeds. The area which housed the Quarry Hill flats is now occupied by Quarry House, a Department of Health and Department of Work and Pensions Building.