Newtown Baths reopens this month (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

Newtown Baths reopens this month

August 4, 2010 11:08 PM

cartoon of someone swimming Newtown Baths will re-open to the public this month following vital repairs totalling £170,000 to safely remove the asbestos and provide new structural supports.

Councillor Martin Mullaney, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport & Culture, said: "Re-opening this pool is a major boost for the community and also for the city's elite swimmers, who train at Newtown."

"We have an ambitious long-term goal for new community pools across the city but we know the importance of keeping existing facilities open in the meantime."

"I worked closely with my cabinet colleague Councillor Ayoub Khan to secure funding for the repair work and further down the line we can look at plans for a new pool."

Plans for a new pool in Newtown are proposed to be incorporated in the second phase of Birmingham City Council's ambitious community pools programme.

The national free swimming initiative for under-16s and over-60s may have been scrapped but Birmingham residents of all ages can still take the plunge free of charge - thanks to an award winning Birmingham City Council/NHS partnership.

Launched in September 2009, the Be Active scheme offers all Birmingham residents free swimming, group exercise classes and gym sessions. More information can be found at www.birmingham.gov.uk/beactive