As Coventry’s Olympic-sized swimming pool is facing demolition after being shut for the past five years, local residents have shared their relief and heartbreak at the news.

The Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre, known locally as Cov Baths, has been empty since it closed in 2020, costing the council about £400,000 a year to maintain.

The local government intends to apply to demolish a portion of the Grade II listed building on Fairfax Street, which houses the 50-meter pool.

One Facebook user suggested that the “great swimming pool” be refurbished and reused, while another praised the decision to demolish a portion of the expensive “awful looking” building that was “rotting away”.

Martyn Brunt of Coventry said removing a portion of the building would alter the city’s identity, and the pool was an important part of its history.

He explained: “Whatever you think of the pool’s design, particularly the glass wall on Cope Street, and the Elephant, they are two of the most distinctive buildings in Coventry, and losing them would diminish a city that is already deteriorating under charmless, identikit student blocks.

“The council wanted to demolish the pool before it was even closed, it has always been their aim, so I question how hard they’ve really tried to find a future for it.” The building is Grade II listed, and the local authority stated that it “worked with Historic England” and “explored every single avenue of use”.

Historic England has been asked for a comment. Many people on social media praised the building for its distinct appearance, while others were relieved to see it go.

One anonymous person commented, “Knock it down and build something worth looking at.” Carole Donnelly found the news sad but unsurprising.”A classic tactic to close the building and then leave it to degenerate, get vandalised then apply to demolish it,” she told me.

“It’s possibly way past any community projects to take it on and not sure if anyone has deep enough pockets to rescue it.” One resident expressed her desire to see the building transformed into a roller rink or music venue.

Alison Berry expressed her belief: “It just needs to be updated and maybe some creatively new stuff too to give us back a new council run leisure centre.” Do pool movie parties, with a bar and a soft play area for the kids.”

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