Pools plan boost as sites are approved

Plans to build two new swimming pools in Sandwell have taken a step forward after council chiefs approved the sites.

The £20 million swimming pools will be built on site of the Jesson playing fields, off Old Meeting Street in West Bromwich and at the former Little Burton housing estate in Tipton. The scheme was approved by Sandwell Council's cabinet at its meeting last night. The timetable for the building work will now be drawn up and the tender process will start to find the building contractor.

A report to the council's decision-making cabinet in November last year proposed the 25-metre, six-lane pool for West Bromwich, with a learner pool, a four-court sports hall, a 100-station fitness suite and a refreshment area.

Construction costs are estimated at £13.5m.

The proposed Tipton pool, which will replace the outdated Tipton Swimming Centre, is expected to cost £8.8m. It will have a 25-metre pool, learner pool and a refreshment area.

West Bromwich has been without a swimming pool for a decade, after West Bromwich's Gala Baths were knocked down in 2000. It is hoped both facilities will be open by October 2011.

Councillor Ian Jones, ward member for Tipton Green, was at the meeting. He said: "I'm thrilled this is going ahead and moving forward. This is what people need and deserve in Sandwell. I was there when they closed the Gala Baths. I now am very pleased to be part of this new building programme."

The council plans to borrow the money to construct the facilities.

Last June, the council's opposition Tory group launched a campaign to bring back a pool to West Bromwich town centre.

Their attempt came after original plans for a new pool and leisure centre in Spon Lane were ditched in December 2008 when the council was told it must save £30 million over the next five years.