£1m upgrade for outdated Walsall Gala baths
New water features, better changing rooms and a learner pool will form part of a £1 million revamp of Walsall Gala Baths, under new improvement plans.
The outdated 50 year-old building is being earmarked for an upgrade after Walsall Council vowed to invest in the prominent town centre site.
Proposals include fresh water play features in the brine pool, bistro seating area and male and female changing area.
Work on the project could start as early as next month subject to cabinet approval on Wednesday.
The money for the Tower Street site has been set aside as part of the capital programme and would take up to three months to complete.
Improvements include a new reception foyer and entrance area and installation of a fixed boom into the gala pool to create a learner pool.
It comes as almost £24m is being invested in creating two new leisure centres at Bloxwich and Oak Park.
The council will look at the option of keeping at least one of the two pools open at all times to minimise disruption to users.
Otherwise, the building could be closed until the summer.
Leisure chief, councillor Khizar Hussain said: "The existing Gala Baths building was opened in 1961 and has been in need of improvements for a long time now.
"We are looking to create a portfolio of leisure facilities in Walsall which meet modern day standards and will help us achieve our aspiration of 'more people, more active, more often'.
"Work is underway on the two new active living centres at Oak Park and Bloxwich, which will provide great new modern up to date facilities, and it is appropriate that we should look at revamping this building to tie in with this."
The prospect of transforming the outdated Tower Street was first raised more than 18 months ago. It came after a 2,000 name petition was collected in 2013 after public concerns the town centre leisure centre could be closed.
The former Conservative-led council revealed it was looking at the option of replacing the Gala Baths and creating a new swimming pool and multi-storey car park complex.
However, with the Labour group now in control, said the building would be maintained.
The centre in Bloxwich is currently closed to enable construction of the new building, although Oak Park remains open.
Darlaston Swimming Pool has recently had its gym revamped and classes timetable extended.
