Leisure centres in £14m revamp plan

New plans to replace two leisure centres and improve swimming baths in a Black Country borough will cost £14 million, it emerged today.

Moves to create better facilities at Bloxwich and Oak Park centres and revamp Darlaston baths are being looked at by Walsall Council chiefs.

Firm plans are being drawn up for the best way to improve ageing buildings and bring them into the 21st century for users.

It is anticipated a total of £14m would be invested in the proposals with £10m through prudential borrowing and £4m from Sport England and green sources.

Councillors and senior officers are currently drawing up full proposals and a report is expected to go before the decision-making cabinet in the near future.

Council leader Mike Bird said they wanted to build on the success of the Olympics through improving the quality of its leisure provision.

Management of leisure centres is also being reviewed and could see a social enterprise or a trust run facilities. It has been done in other areas such as West Bromwich and the Sandwell Leisure Trust.

Leisure chief councillor Anthony Harris said: "Consideration is also being made to creating a social enterprise or trust.

"This is simply a management model where the existing staff would run the services but would also have certain financial advantages. This, alongside the new and improved facilities, will generate additional business and help deliver the overall scheme."

Willenhall Leisure Centre closed two summers' ago amid cuts by council bosses after being the poorest performer.

Campaigners launched an unsuccessful battle to save the centre, which was opened in 1938. It was sold off at auction last year.