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£100,000 needed for Darlaston swimming pool
Darlaston’s prestigious swimming pool needs repairing just 10 years after it opened. Evidence of corrosion has been found in the metal fixings to the structures unique timber roof…
The pool opened in 2000 on the Victoria Road site after the existing baths were demolished after the discovery of asbestos throughout the old building. Walsall Council was awarded £4.5million for the rebuild by the Lottery Sports Fund which, at the time, was the second highest award in the West Midlands from the fund.
The design of the pool was highly commended by both the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Timber Industry Awards. Ten years later, the building is in need of further funding and local councillor Bill Madeley said: “I am quite angry that something like the swimming baths, that has cost that amount of money, needs work done on it.
“The place only opened 10 years ago and already needs £100,000 spent on it.”
Walsall Council has confirmed that the remedial work will take place. Leader of the council Mike Bird said: “We will do the repairs but will seek to recover the money from the contractor or architect.”
Currently, all Walsall leisure facilities are under review as the council tries to make savings of over £11million.