Wolverhampton Central Baths protesters hand in petition
Campaigners fighting to save a swimming pool threatened with closure as part of sweeping council cuts today handed in a petition containing the signatures of thousands of people who back their cause.
Cash-strapped Wolverhampton City Council has said it will be forced to close the Central Baths unless a private operator can be found, allowing it to break even and axe its £316,000 subsidy for the centre.
The threat comes as the local authority looks to make £123 million of savings over five years.
Since the closure proposal was announced in October, more than 6,000 people have signed the petition against the move.
Carol Bailey, who is a regular user of Central Baths and is leading the campaign to keep them open, said: "We don't want central baths to close. It has to stay open because it is so valuable to the people not only of Wolverhampton but of the whole region. We have gathered 6,000 signatures in the last three months, which demonstrates that."
Ms Bailey, aged 48, who is a senior lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton, added: "There are lots of strands to it.
"We are looking at the education of children being able to swim. A lot of children in the West Midlands can't. The second thing is the reputation of the city. Central baths attracts people to these regional galas from all over the country.
"Third is community. It's one of the few places where people from all backgrounds and political persuasions come together.
"And the most important one for me is the health."
The council says it is working to devise a new business plan with a more commercial focus together with the Amateur Swimming Association and Sport England.
Both organisations have already suggested ways to try to make the Central Baths more popular, and have been involved in drawing up a new business plan for it. Council chiefs have said they are committed to trying to find a solution for its future.
The campaigners delivered the petition to Councillor Elias Mattu, cabinet member for leisure, outside the swimming baths.
The petition's handover comes after it emerged yesterday that Bantock House in Wolverhampton could face closure as the local authority looks to save £123million over the next five years.
Bosses say £197,000 could be saved if the historic museum was to shut its doors but they say they are determined to protect the building and are looking to find a cheaper way to run it instead.
