Coseley baths earmarked for closure
Coseley baths has been earmarked for closure after it was revealed more than £2 million needs to be spent on repairs.
Coseley baths has been earmarked for closure after it was revealed more than £2 million needs to be spent on repairs.
At least £1m will have to be spent replacing the roof, which is in danger of collapse.
Urgent work is also needed to replace the electrics and fire safety equipment and improve disabled access to the pool in Pear Tree Lane. The huge repair bill has led council members to recommend the permanent closure of the pool before the end of August this year.
The recommendation will come as a huge blow to swimmers who have fought to keep the site open – including ward councillors who have campaigned for investment in the baths.
Coseley councillor Susan Ridney is "appalled" by the recommendations and has vowed to fight the closure.
She said: "What else is there in this side of the borough now? Coseley has been starved of investment."
Councillor Ridney is supported in her fight by other Coseley ward councillors, including Melvyn Mottram, who represents Coseley East.
"I have already spoken to the swimming pool staff to reassure them we will fight this," added Councillor Ridney.
"They are obviously devastated by this news."
The recommendation follows a report into leisure centres in the borough which sets out the extent and cost of repairs needed at Coseley. It also highlights alternative swimming pools in the area including a new £15 million leisure centre due to be built in Bilston.
The report concludes with a recommendation for the permanent closure of Coseley swimming pool and will be discussed at a meeting of the cabinet next week.
Coseley resident Margaret Wilson, whose husband John was part of the original Coseley Urban Council who successfully campaigned for a pool, said she and her husband would be "devastated" if the baths had to close.
She said: "I worked for Coseley Council when the pool was first built in 1963 and saw how much it meant to the people of Coseley."
Cabinet member for environment and culture Councillor Karen Shakespeare said the decision would not be taken lightly.
He added: "At its meeting next Wednesday, cabinet has a difficult decision to make in relation to future provision at Coseley."
