Wolverhampton baths to undergo £350k revamp - months after closure threat survival

The leisure centre was saved by a campaign group who gathered 6,000 signatures on a petition to keep it open.

Wolverhampton City Council bosses had announced the baths could be forced to close because they could not afford to carry on paying the £316,000-a-year running costs.

Under pressure to make savings of £123 million over the next five years, they pledged to deliver a realistic plan to make their three leisure centres sustainable.

And now, as part of the council's re-branded WV Active leisure services, Central Baths will soon have revamped changing rooms, the gym area will be made bigger, office space upgraded, and a cafe will be added to the site.

Councillor Elias Mattu, cabinet member for leisure and communities, said: "Following last year's campaign to save the Central Baths we have adopted a different approach in respect of all three of our leisure facilities. At the time I said I will leave no stone unturned in my efforts to save Central Baths, and I did that. We have achieved that goal.

"We have quite a big plan for Central Baths. In the coming months I think the facilities will be much improved, while at the same time keeping the prices as they are or even lower in some cases."

Under the new WV Active membership scheme users will be able to make the most of all three leisure facilities in the city - Central Baths, Aldersley Leisure Village and the Bert Williams Leisure Centre.

Councillor Mattu said there had already been a lot of interest in the new memberships, which the council says are the best on offer in the West Midlands, and will be officially launched on January 1.

"I think this is great news for Wolverhampton. People have, I think, great leisure facilities in the region and I am really delighted to say we have managed to save facilities.

"I believe that sport is very important, it is crucial for a healthy lifestyle and for fitness. Obesity is a big issue for us in the city and we are encouraging people of all ages to participate - join and take up the membership, do some kind of exercise."

There are also plans to start a swimming academy in the city.

Councillor Mattu said the waiting list for swimming lessons was 1,000-strong, but they expected to be able to meet demand now.