Future looks bright for Great Barr pool in takeover
A leisure centre saved from closure after a 3,000 signature petition has been taken over, paving the way for its refurbishment.
Beeches Pool and Fitness Centre in Great Barr is now part of Birmingham Community Leisure Trust which is run in partnership by Serco.
Plans are being drawn up for a revamp of the complex used by families in Sandwell and Walsall as well as by a large number of schools for swimming lessons.
Proposals are still at an early design stage but the scheme is expected to include a larger gym.
The complex had faced an uncertain future as part of a shake-up of Birmingham City Council's leisure services but residents had fought to save the popular centre in Beeches Road.
A petition signed by 3,000 people was presented to council bosses by campaigners Karen Hamilton and Jon Hunt in support of keeping the centre which is also home to Perry Beeches Swimming Club.
The council transferred the running of the centre over to Birmingham Community Leisure Trust, which came into force on June 1.
It is responsible for Beeches Pool alongside others, including Wyndley Leisure Centre in Sutton Coldfield and new builds in Ladywood and Erdington.
The council's deputy leader, Councillor Ian Ward, previously said the deal will help safeguard the future of the baths.
Now full plans for the refurbishment project are being drawn up with more details expected to revealed later this year.
Debbie Harrison, a spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council, said: "The plans for Beeches Pool refurbishment have not been finalised, however they will be an improvement to the facility and include a larger gym. When they are finalised, customers will be notified."
Birmingham City Council was awarded a 15 year contract to Serco for work at nine leisure centres across the city.
The firm is also designing and building four new swimming pools at Erdington, Stechford Cascades, Icknield Port Loop, in Edgbaston, and Northfield.
When the contract was awarded Ian Phelps, managing director for Serco's leisure business, added: "We are delighted to bring over 20 years of leisure industry experience to this partnership with Birmingham City Council in order to deliver new and refurbished facilities along with high quality leisure provision to local residents across the city."
Beeches Pool has facilities including a gym, swimming pool, aqua classes, sauna and steam room. It also offers a full swimming lesson programme.
