Olympic star Tessa Sanderson backs Wolverhampton baths plans

The Heath Town Baths, in Tudor Road, Heath Town, Wolverhampton, has stood empty for more than ten years.

But now a foundation run by former Olympic gold medallist Tessa Sanderson – The Tessa Sanderson Foundation and Academy (TSFA) – has revealed plans to turn the 82-year-old building into a sports centre.

The plans, which have been submitted to Wolverhampton City Council, include a proposal to construct a large all-purpose sports hall on the site of the old swimming pool, while the adjacent boiler house will be converted into changing rooms. Other land on the site has been earmarked for use as a car park.

The baths were shut down in 2003 after health and safety chiefs from Wolverhampton City Council deemed the building structurally unsafe.

Two years later discussions between the City Council and Wolverhampton Primary Care Trust to build a community health centre on the site reached an advanced stage before the plan was scrapped at the last minute.

Ivan Speck, spokesperson for the TSFA, said the proposed centre would provide a real boost for sports buffs in the Black Country.

"It is a big project and the total cost will run into several millions of pounds. The process is still in its early stages, but we are hopeful of taking over the building and providing new facilities for use in the community. We want to involve local schools, which would be able to use the hall for various different sports. There is also the possibility of older residents from the area using the facilities for indoor bowls."

He added the TSFA had applied for a redevelopment grant for the project, which will be part funded by the charity's consortium. Mr Speck added the centre would create an unspecified number of new jobs in the city.

Sanderson, who moved to Wolverhampton from Jamaica as a youngster, said the proposed centre forms part of her plan to unearth future Olympic champions from the city.

The 57-year-old set up the foundation in London in 2009 with the aim of coaching and developing talented athletes aged between five and 23. The scheme helps 77 young people and boasts national representatives in athletics, fencing, archery, football and Paralympic swimming. Mr Speck added: "It is hoped the Wolverhampton centre will become the Midlands hub of the Academy."

The derelict baths have been the subject of a long running campaign by residents of Heath Town who said they did not want to see it standing empty.

Olympic Javelin thrower Tessa Sanderson will be in the Black Country tomorrow looking for young athletes to follow in her footsteps and head to Tokyo 2020 Games.

Her foundation already supports 77 talented youngsters in London and the South East, and is hoping to do the same in her native Wolverhampton.