Coventry Plans Demolition of Historic Olympic-Sized Pool

Coventry's Grade II-listed Olympic-sized swimming pool, part of the Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre known as Cov Baths, is set for demolition after being closed since 2020 and costing the council around £400,000 annually to maintain. Despite five years of efforts to find a buyer, no viable proposals emerged due to the high costs and the building's outdated infrastructure. The council plans to demolish the pool section but hopes to spare the adjacent extension known as The Elephant, with ongoing talks with potential developers interested in repurposing that part of the site. Local residents have expressed mixed feelings, with some lamenting the loss of a historic city landmark while others support demolition due to the building’s deteriorating condition and maintenance costs. Councillor Jim O’Boyle acknowledged the symbolic importance of the pool but emphasized the financial impracticality of keeping it open without a sustainable future use. The council has worked with Historic England and explored all options, concluding that demolition of the pool is the most feasible outcome unless a new stakeholder steps forward.