Plans for new Walsall swimming pool scrapped

Former Walsall Council leader Mike Bird

. The scheme would have meant scrapping the Gala Baths

But new leader Sean Coughlan says the proposals are unrealistic and will not be pursued. But he says that he is committed to keeping the baths and the site's renowned brine pool and preserving them for the future.

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He has also insisted that the authority is still looking at a possible upgrade of the Gala Baths, including modern facilities.

The idea to close the baths and replace them with a new leisure centre originally surfaced in May under then-leader Councillor Bird.

But Labour has since taken over control of the council following a by-election – and Councillor Coughlan says the previous administration's plans are just not feasible.

Critics argue that a flagship leisure centre is needed in the town centre to encourage future generations to take up sport.

Paralympic superstar Ellie Simmonds, of Aldridge, moved with her mother to Swansea at the age of 11 so she could train in an Olympic size 50-metre pool.

And council bosses admit that the facilities at the Gala Baths are dated and need a revamp. At the age of 14 Ellie became the youngest person ever to receive an MBE after her record-breaking double gold medal winning success at the Paralympics in Beijing in 2008.

Her father Steve Simmonds said: "Nowadays Ellie uses the best facilities she can find wherever she is based at that time.

"It's important for somewhere like Walsall to have good quality baths as there are plenty of people out there interested in swimming. The council needs to make sure that there is a good facility in the town for years to come."

The plans to close the Gala Baths were believed to be moving forward when Councillor Bird unveiled them in May. He said that initial discussions had taken place over possible locations and car park operators.

The council had looked at the potential for a £1 million revamp of the Gala Baths which are more than 50 years old. But this was subject to funding and comes as the cash-strapped authority faces major cuts.

Councillor Coughlan has already warned that the authority's finances are in a worse state than first thought and that residents should be prepared for increased fees and charges. He says that taking on such a huge development would not be possible – especially as the council has already committed to building two new leisure centres in Bloxwich and Oak Park. These projects will cost a total of £24m and work is due to start in the coming months.

Councillor Coughlan said: "It's unachievable at this time, but if it means we can look at investment in the Gala Baths in the future then that will be better. I can give a commitment that Labour wants to maintain a swimming pool in the centre of Walsall, but how we do that is different to how Mike saw it.

"There's no reality in what he was planning, but we have a commitment to keeping the Gala Baths in Walsall town centre and we will find a model for that."

But Councillor Bird insists that replacing the Gala Baths with a new centre and multi-storey car park is 'completely feasible' and says the Tories will draw up the plans even if Labour refuse to.

"There is an opportunity there and they should make it happen. If they are saying this is not an option then we will set about proving that it can happen. They are showing no vision for the regeneration of Walsall," he said.

A 2,000 name petition was launched last year amid fears that the town centre leisure centre in Tower Street could shut.

A new water flume, more play features and an expanded fitness suite were put forward as ideas for the £1 million upgrade.

Councillor Pete Smith has called on the council to commit to the £1m investment in the site if it is to stay open.

He proposed the motion at last year's council meeting calling for support for the leisure centre upgrade.