WHAT NEXT FOR THE ELEPHANT?

TALKS ARE SET TO BEGIN WITH PRIVATE INVESTORS

COUNCILLORS have agreed to open talks with private investors to find another use for the declining Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre.

The site is set for a phased closure later this year as other provision becomes available, after which it will be declared as surplus to requirement.

At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, councillors agreed to close the Fairfax Street site and embark on ‘market testing’ for its future uses.

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs and regeneration, said the council is in discussions with investors over how it could be used.

He said:”We are in discussions with organisations to see the potential viability of uses for these buildings in the future.

“It is subject to private finance wanting to bring some money to the table.

“As a public organisation, we just do not have the finances on our own to finance any potential use of that building without the input of serious financial investors.”

The leisure centre originally opened in 1966 but is now considered by the authority to be an ageing facility that is no longer “fit for purpose”.

It’s closure comes at a time Coventry is getting more than £60 million investment in sports and leisure facilities, including The Wave and the proposed new indoor bowls facility.

These, coupled with major improvements at the Alan Higgs Centre, including the new £10.5 million pool will instead lead the council’s sports strategy.

At the same meeting, cabinet also approved a £1.5million cash boost from Sport England to pump into the new 50m pool ahead of its launch in the autumn.

Cllr KamranCaan, cabinet member for public health and sport, said: “It is a very positive moment in the history of Coventry. Once again we have been given a significant amount of money from Sports England which shows we are giving them the confidence to invest these type of sums.”

Cllr Kevin Maton said the improvements at the Alan Higgs Centre, and others, delivers on a council promise from 2013 to deliver “high quality facilities for people of all sporting abilities”.

Cllr John Mutton added: “I’m delighted that we have been able to keep our promises.”