New start is planned for Willenhall Leisure Centre
The landmark Willenhall Leisure Centre site, which shut amid council cuts, is to be brought back to life to host conferences and banquets under plans.
The venue closed in 2010 after council bosses said it was among the worst performing in the Walsall borough and it was bought at auction the next year.
New owner Raj Kumar has now unveiled plans to refurbish the building in Bath Street, which will include building a new two-storey extension, in moves that would create 40 jobs.
The 56-year-old, of Birmingham, said: "It's a fantastic site. I want to bring it back into use.
"It's sad it's been left to go into the condition it's in. I want to liven it up a bit.
"It will create jobs in roles like waiting, cleaning and office staff."
Plans have been submitted to open the facility seven days a week from 10am to 2am to allow flexibility for bookings, although most functions would take place at a weekend. It is expected to create 10 full-time and 30 part-time jobs and would be open to bookings from the community and businesses.
Willenhall South Councillor Sean Coughlan said: "We have always hoped the private sector would come in to reopen the building as a leisure centre, but we need to make the most of the empty buildings we have got."
