New future for baths as control handed to locals Hope for pool – but £20m still needed for fuller restoration
ALISTED Edwardian swimming pool, once threatened with closure, has finally reopened under a new charity.
The grade II*-listed Moseley Road Baths, in Balsall Heath, reopened to the public this week as it begins its new era under community control.
The historic baths were officially handed over by the city council to the Moseley Road Baths Charitable Incorporated Organisation (MRB CIO) last week.
The swimming pool was originally earmarked for closure by Birming- ham City Council. But following months of negotiations the CIO convinced the council it had access to funding and a sustainable business plan.
Grants from Bright Ideas, Awards For All, the council’s Community Innovation Fund and local donations have helped while Historic England, the World Monuments Fund and the council have between them offered £1 million for essential repair work.
Chairman of the new management body Karen Leach said: “This is a proud moment for the community and shows the spirit of Balsall Heath, given that over £26,000 has been raised through a Crowdfunder cam- paign to recruit and train lifeguards and volunteer swimming leaders.
“Thousands of people from Balsall Heath and beyond have learned to swim at Moseley Road Baths and we want local children and adults to continue to swim here.
“Swimming will be vital to the future of the building and we believe that this will help to start the process of regenerating the building as a whole. There is still a long way to go and many hurdles ahead but this is an important first step.”
While the group has secured enough funding to run the pool, there remains a long way to go to raise the £20 million to fully restore the heritage site to its former glory – including getting the second pool open again. The council is continuing to provide support during a transitionary period before the CIO take over full operation of swimming.
Viv Harrison, chairman of the Friends of Moseley Road Baths, was also optimistic for the future.
She said: “The Friends were set up over ten years ago to campaign to keep our pool open for swimming and we are thrilled to be able to support the CIO in its work.
“The baths were built to encourage the people of Balsall Heath to become part of the City of Birmingham and it’s fantastic to know that over 100 years of history will continue.”