Coventry City Councillors to discuss demolition of old city baths
The old swimming pool building and the neighbouring former Leisure Centre on Fairfax Street have been closed since 2020
Coventry City Council is set to discuss plans to demolish the former city centre swimming baths to pave the way for a regeneration project.
The old swimming pool building and the neighbouring former Leisure Centre, known as The Elephant, on Fairfax Street have been closed since 2020.
Over those years the Council says it's been working to find an alternative use that would protect the site and give it new life. However, despite all efforts, no sustainable plan has been found, and the site is currently costing Coventry taxpayers around £400,000 a year to maintain.
Now, a decision needs to be made on whether the only option left for the baths building is demolition – with The Elephant being protected and work continuing to find new owners to ensure its long term future.
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, said: “There has been extensive work in trying to find a suitable use for the site, but despite our best efforts this has been unsuccessful and the buildings remain empty.
“This means a prominent space in our city is being left to decay and is costing taxpayers thousands of pounds every year. This cannot be allowed to continue.
“We would have loved to protect Cov baths, it is a part of our city, and has a place in many people’s hearts, but we must find a way to bring this area back to life and make it a part of the vibrant city we are creating.
“The first important step in this work is securing permission to demolish the old baths while protecting the neighbouring iconic Elephant building. I’m pleased to say that thanks to really close working with Historic England they have agreed to not oppose this plan.
"We appreciate the pragmatic approach which will mean we can work with our partners and the people of the city to create something special that will be as loved by future generations as the baths were before.”
The old baths have been replaced by provision elsewhere in the city, with The Wave in the city centre and the pool at the Alan Higgs Centre. The Council says it has carried out extensive marketing of the site, as well as talks with Historic England.
If the application for demolition is approved, it is expected that demolition will start within the next three years. The report will be at cabinet member jobs, regeneration and climate change meeting on 12 November.