Commonwealth Games aquatics centre to replace old Smethwick baths
A new £60 million aquatics centre will result in the much-needed replacement of two ageing swimming baths, a council leader has said.
The state-of-the-art facility to be built on playing fields in Smethwick will be used for swimming and diving events at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and will then become a leisure centre for the area.
It will result in the closure of both Thimblemill and Langley Baths in the town closing after the Games, if the proposals get the final go-ahead.
WATCH Steve Eling discuss the centre:
Sandwell Council leader Steve Eling said consultations had revealed a desire for newer facilities in the south of the borough.
He said: "“The new state-of-the-art aquatics centre will ultimately replace our ageing and uneconomical swimming centres in the area – Thimblemill and Langley.
“However, these will remain open until services transfer to the new centre.
“Cabinet will be asking for a report and consultation on future uses of these buildings and we will not make any decisions until that consultation is completed.
“The council’s select committee on leisure provision has done a lot of work and consultation on future leisure facilities for Sandwell, including what would be included for the new centre.
"This public consultation shows that Thimblemill and Langley centre users say the current centres do not meet their needs and they want a new modern facility. The select committee’s report will go to the same cabinet meeting on January 31.”
