‘A massive positive’: Community backs martial arts project at West Yorkshire greyhound stadium
A community has backed calls for a mixed martial arts (MMA) gym to be allowed to continue operating at a West Yorkshire greyhound stadium.
Residents in Kinsley, near Pontefract, described the new facility as a “massive positive” for the village since it opened in September last year.
Others commented that it had helped to promote physical and metal health in the area as well as reducing anti-social behaviour.
Retrospective plans were submitted to Wakefield Council in November for Foundry MMA to continue operating the facility in the former restaurant and bar at Kinsley Greyhound Stadium.
A statement said a change of use for the stadium was required as the dog racing business and associated hospitality had suffered since the Covid pandemic.
The application, submitted on behalf of stadium owner John Curran, said dog races were “no longer large public events”, with racing now being viewed online rather than members of the public attending.
The document said: “With ongoing increasing costs, including energy costs, wage bills and National Insurance, the business has had to fundamentally change.”
The stadium, which opened in 1939, had 15 full time and 41 part time staff prior to the pandemic.
“Once restrictions were lifted many of the previous staff, particularly with those trained in catering, had moved on to other employment opportunities,” the statement said.
“As a resident of Kinsley, Mr Curran was subsequently approached to utilise the building as a sporting facility which would provide job opportunities and also a facility for the use of the local community.”
Foundry MMA was then established at the stadium and teaches MMA, boxing, K1 and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to men, women and children, as well as training professional MMA contenders.
The facility is also used by a mental health community group five days a week.
The statement added: “The use of the redundant function room provides the greyhound stadium with an alternative income and ensures it can cover its ongoing costs.“It assists in ensuring greyhound racing, a historic sport, continues in Kinsley for future generations.
“It is considered imperative that Wakefield Council fully support this development which is of clear benefit to the local community and brings back into beneficial use an otherwise vacant building. The importance of this facility must not be underestimated.”
A total of 58 residents have written to the council in favour of the project, with just two objection comments submitted.
One comment supporting the plans said: “Having lived in the Kinsley and Fitzwilliam area for my entire life, it is not hyperbole to say that Foundry MMA is the most positive contribution to the community within my lifetime.
“It is no secret that our area has been long deprived. There are no gyms or communal buildings that promote exercise, fitness and positive mental wellbeing.
“Foundry has filled that space in the community that has sorely needed to be filled for so long.”
Another resident commented: “My son has attended the gym since the day it opened.
“It has been a massive positive in his life. He is always learning new skills at the sessions, socialising and growing in confidence.
“As a family we absolutely support this gym to stay open for our community.”