Coventry Live readers are split after plans to demolish the city’s former swimming baths were approved by the Government.
Central Baths, which opened in 1966 and was once described by the Lord Mayor as the finest baths in Europe, is now set to be torn down after being closed since 2020. The Grade II listed council owned building has remained shut due to rising maintenance costs, with attempts to find a new operator or alternative use unsuccessful.
The site, which includes a now unused 50 metre Olympic pool, has cost around £400,000 a year to maintain since closing, mainly for security and insurance. The adjacent section known as The Elephant is not included in the demolition plans.
Steve Reed has now approved listed building consent for demolition, with conditions including completion within three years and requirements for archaeological and wildlife surveys.
The proposals were opposed by heritage groups including Twentieth Century Society and Coventry Society, who argued the building could be reused and that there was not enough justification for full demolition. Some residents also objected, calling it an iconic structure with strong community value that could have been repurposed rather than lost.
Supporters of retention pointed to potential alternative uses for the site, including ideas such as a sports or community facility, while critics of the current state of the building say it has been left to deteriorate.
The Government concluded that, despite the heritage concerns, the overall benefits of the redevelopment outweigh the harm to the listed building, paving the way for demolition to go ahead.
Commenter Manfredcov thinks: “It shouldn’t have taken this long. They haven’t been used for years, so there was no point in paying to keep them closed. They never were an architectural wonder, anyway. That elephant needs to go as well; talk about an eyesore.”
Johnjon disagrees: “It should never have been closed. It had an Olympic sized swimming pool, two gyms, a sauna and a training centre, along with plenty of other fitness facilities. The money spent on the Wave could have gone towards modernising the sports centre instead. It was also in a great location right next to the bus station, making it easy for people from all parts of the city to get to. It just feels like a real missed opportunity.”
Louise W adds: “I really loved it there. If only the money spent on the Wave had gone into saving it instead. The Wave feels really overpriced and it’s only open at weekends too. Coventry Baths had everything, bowling, roller skating, Jungle Junction, a splash pool, diving boards, it really catered for everyone.”
Darren V says: “Amazing to think that swimming was available and affordable for everyone and this place was always busy with people having fun, and keeping healthy, not like the Wave which is terrible.”
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Headless complains: “Surprise, surprise… not really! It’s hard to see how even the few historic buildings we’ve still got left in the city have managed to survive years of neglect and poor decisions. It almost feels like some people would rather turn the city centre into another housing estate. Just knocking it down seems to be the answer to everything, doesn’t it?”
Manfredcov replies: “Historic? There was nothing aesthetically pleasing about that building; it was just a big brick building.”
Deathroe retorts: “Are you questioning its historic value? It’s post-war and Cold War era architecture, and just because you don’t personally like it doesn’t mean others don’t appreciate it.”
Philip A pleads: “No, this is so iconic for Coventry City. Can someone with real passion for the city step in and save our baths? Look at what Doug King has done for Coventry City Football Club. Please don’t let our iconic baths be lost.”
Tom C thinks: “Good, it’s been closed for over ten years now. It would be much better to clear it and turn it into a nice open space with greenery, somewhere people can actually use and enjoy instead of just sitting there unused.”
Andy H remembers: “I learnt to swim in the baby pool, had swimming lessons in the old splash pool and dived for bricks in the deep Olympic pool. This is an absolute travesty that it has been able to be left to ruin and then decide to knock it down. They could have easily refurbished it to offer the same and more that the wave offers.”
Dianne B adds: “What a waste of a great facility. Like me, thousands of children would have learned to swim there, and I still remember getting my swimming survival badges. There were loads of other sports available too, as well as a bar area. It’s such a shame to see it going to be demolished.”
Do you think it’s the right decision to demolish such an iconic listed building, or should it have been refurbished and brought back into use instead? Have your say in our comments section.
