An empty sports centre is costing Bradford Council more than £6,000 a week to guard against trespassers and vandals.
The extra security at the former Richard Dunn Sports Centre was introduced after a break-in earlier this year.
The costs have reignited a row over the future of the building, which closed in 2019. Plans to demolish it were halted when it was granted Grade II listed status in 2022 following a recommendation from Historic England.
Councillor Debbie Davies said the building was a “1970s eyesore” and said the costs were a “nonsensical drain” on taxpayers.
The figure was disclosed after Davies, a Baildon councillor, asked how much the council was spending to secure the site.
Council officers said a police security audit was carried out following the break-in in March, leading to an increased on-site physical security presence at a cost of £6,017 a week.
The council said there had been no unauthorised access to the building since the measures were introduced in April.
The facility closed following the opening of Sedbergh Sports and Leisure Centre.
Plans to demolish the former venue were first delayed by the Covid pandemic before being abandoned when the building received listed status.
