£10k fund plea in baths battle
A £10,000 fundraising drive has been launched by campaigners fighting to save Coseley baths. The cash will be used to finance an independent structural survey.
Protesters dispute Dudley Council's claims the pool needs £2 million spent on it to bring it up to scratch, including £1 million roof repairs needed by August.
Council leader Councillor David Caunt has agreed to allow an independent surveyor commissioned by the campaigners compile a fresh report if they can find the cash to fund the assessment.
Brian Guest, a vocal critic of the closure proposals, said it would be "no problem" to raise the estimated £10,000 required.
"It's a big step forward for us that they will allow an independent surveyor's report," he added.
"Believe you me, it will not be a problem to raise that amount of money from the amount of people who care about this.
"We don't believe the figures the council is quoting are right, and we want to clarify them. We don't think the repairs would cost as much as the councillors are saying."
The 65-year-old, who lives in Elmwood Rise, Sedgley. but was previously in Coseley for 25 years, hailed the public response to the campaign. A volatile crowd of 200 residents packed into the latest North Dudley area committee meeting to protest about the closure.
"I was overwhelmed with the level of support," he said.
"But this is nowhere near the end – this is the beginning." The meeting, on Wednesday evening, followed a day of drama at the pool in Pear Tree Lane.
The baths will be closed until the middle of next week "at the earliest", according to Councillor Caunt, following a chlorine gas leak at the swimming baths.
Almost 50 swimmers and pool staff were treated by paramedics following the leak, with 32 adults and children subsequently taken to hospital.
