Under-threat Great Barr pool saved by council
A swimming pool that faced an uncertain future as part of controversial cost-cutting plans has been saved from the axe amid campaigns.
The future of Beeches Pool, in Great Barr, was put under threat due to £600 million savings by Birmingham City Council.
But it has now been announced that the council-run pool will stay open.
Final proposals produced as part of the authority's Sport and Physical Activity service review have concluded that the council should retain the centre, which is used by people in the neighbouring boroughs of Sandwell and Walsall.
It will now be managed under a framework contract by a private management contractor, similar to how services are run in other boroughs.
A campaign was launched after it emerged that the council-run swimming pool could close due to budget cuts, led by Karen Hamilton and Jon Hunt.
Councillor Mahmood Hussain, chairman of the Perry Barr District Committee, said: "I am very pleased that the views of the Perry Barr councillors have been listened to, as we all agreed that this popular facility should be retained." The site is used by a large number of schools for swimming lessons, has a very popular swimming instruction programme and is home to Perry Beeches Swimming Club.
The set of proposals have been created to ensure a strategic spread of facilities and services across the city in the future, as well as meeting the budget pressures and reductions facing the council.
There had been a lot of pressure locally to keep the pool open and a 3,000-signature petition was handed to the council. A second petition had been started by campaigners that was to be presented next month.
