Still no closing date for city’s sports centre

WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR STORIES AND MEMORIES OF COV BATHS

COVENTRY Sports and Leisure Centre - affectionately known as Cov Baths - will be closing its doors in the near future.

The imposing Grade-II building is a divisive feature of the Coventry skyline, both loved and loathed by city residents.

It was part of the post war architecture that came to define Coventry.

Many people will have memories of what Cov baths meant to them, the building nurtured everyone from swim champs to roller derby stars.

It is a city venue that has shaped the lives of countless residents, and whilst some clubs and facilities are being relocated elsewhere, many will either close permanently, or face an uncertain future.

We got in touch with Coventry City Council this week to find out if they had an expected date of closure.

A spokesperson for the authority told the Telegraph: “Unfortunately, we don’t have a definite date for the closure yet, but we’ll be sure to let you know when we do.”

Back in February, Coventry City Council agreed to open talks with private investors to find another use for the declining building.

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

At the time, 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.”

A Coventry City Council spokesperson said: “A phased closure has always been planned for the Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre.

“This will only happen when we have new facilities in place, including the 50-metre pool at the Alan Higgs Centre.

“We are currently inviting expressions of interest for future use of the venue.” WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! There are some amazing stories to have come out of Cov Baths - and we would love to hear your experiences.

Were you a local judo champ, or maybe you were an instructor and had an amazing group? Perhaps you have an inspiring fitness journey?

Get in touch with our community reporter Naomi de Souza with your memories, photos or videos.

Email: naomi.desouza@reachplc.com Phone: 024 7650 0308 Write to us: Coventry Telegraph, Thomas Yeoman House, Leicester Row, Coventry, CV1 4LY.