Relief and heartbreak at potential pool demolition

Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre has been empty since it closed in 2020

As Coventry's Olympic-sized swimming pool is facing demolition after being shut for the past five years, local residents have shared their relief and heartbreak at the news.

The Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre, known locally as Cov Baths, has been empty since it closed in 2020, costing the council about £400,000 a year to maintain.

The local authority intends to apply to demolish part of the Grade II listed building on Fairfax Street, which houses the 50-metre pool.

One Facebook member suggested the "great swimming pool" could be refurbished and used again, while another applauded the decision to demolish part of the expensive "awful looking" building which was "rotting away".

Martyn Brunt, from Coventry, said removing part the building would change the city's identity and that the pool was an important part of its history.

He explained: "Whatever you think of the design of the pool, especially the glass wall on Cope Street, and the Elephant, they are two of the most distinctive buildings in Coventry and losing them would diminish a city already disappearing under charmless, identikit student blocks.

"The council wanted to demolish the pool before it was even closed, it has always been their aim, so I question how hard they've really tried to find a future for it."

The building is Grade II listed and the local authority said it had "worked with Historic England" and "explored every single avenue of use".

Historic England has been approached for a comment.

Many people on social media praised the building for its unique appearance, but some said they were glad to see it gone.

One anonymous person said: "Knock it down and build something worth looking at."

Carole Donnelly found the news sad but predictable.

"A classic tactic to close the building and then leave it to degenerate, get vandalised then apply to demolish it," she said.

"It's possibly way past any community projects to take it on and not sure if anyone has deep enough pockets to rescue it."

One resident said she would have liked to see the building transform into a roller rink or music venue.

Alison Berry said: "It just needs to be updated and maybe some creatively new stuff too to give us back a new council run leisure centre.

"Do pool movie parties, add a bar and a soft play for the kiddies."