Coventry Central Baths

Leisure centre in Coventry, England

Coventry Central Baths, Coventry

The north elevation of Coventry Central Baths, showing the unusual winged roofline

Alternative names| Coventry Sports & Leisure Centre
General information
Type| Leisure centre
Architectural style| Modernist
Address| Fairfax Street
Town or city| Coventry
Country| England
Coordinates| 52°24′33″N 1°30′16″W﻿ / ﻿52.4091°N 1.50452°W﻿ / 52.4091; -1.50452
Construction started| 1962
Completed| 1966
Opened| 23 April 1966
Closed| 15 February 2020
Owner| Coventry City Council
Technical details
Structural system| Steel frame, brick cladding
Design and construction
Architect(s)| Coventry City Architect's Department (Arthur Ling, Terence Gregory), Michael McLellan principal architect, Paul Beney assistant in charge
Designations| Grade II Listed
Website
http://coventrysports.co.uk/centres/coventry-sports-and-leisure-centre

Coventry Central Baths was a leisure centre in Coventry, England. It is located on Fairfax Street in the city centre, and was the main building of the Coventry Sports & Leisure Centre until its closure in February 2020.

## History

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The shuttered rear entrance of the baths in February 2020

Bombing in the Second World War destroyed four out of five of Coventry's swimming baths, leading to the council's decision in 1956 to build a large central complex to meet the city's needs. The building was designed by Michael McLellan of the Coventry City Architect's Department under Arthur Ling and Terence Gregory, who were also responsible for the Belgrade Theatre. Construction started in 1962, finishing in 1966.[1] The foundation stone was ceremonially laid by Alderman A.J. Waugh on 9 April 1963.[2] The baths were opened by Edwin Moody Rogers (Lord Mayor of Coventry) on 23 April 1966, who described them as the finest baths in Europe.[3][4] The complex was extended in 1976 with the completion of the Elephant, a dry sports centre straddling Cox Street to the east Central Baths.[5] A glass walled covered walkway connects the two buildings. The Central Baths building (but not the Elephant) was Grade II listed in 1997.[1]

In August 2014 the council announced that they planned to close the Central Baths, which at the time contained the region's only Olympic-sized swimming pool.[6] The final swimming session took place on 15 February 2020.[7] The future of the building is unclear, as the council have not yet announced plans for its redevelopment.[5] The Central Baths are viewed as a "Building at Risk" by the Coventry Society.[8]

## Design

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The Central Baths contained three swimming pools, including a 165-foot main pool, later shortened to the Olympic regulation 50 metres.[1] Designed in the style of the Modern Movement, the building was viewed as an architectural success at the time, the Architects' Journal of May 25, 1966, stating that "its best features are the main pool hall with its W-shaped roof and seven pitched lights over the three storey high glass wall overlooking the sunbathing terraces and gardens".[3]

## See also

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* Coventry Cathedral
* Houses for Visiting Mathematicians

## References

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1. ^ a b c Historic England. "Coventry Central Baths (original part including sunbathing terraces), part of Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre, Non Civil Parish (1021930)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
2. ^ "New Baths Stone Laying". www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Coventry Evening Telegraph. 6 March 1963. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
3. ^ a b "Coventry Central Baths & Elephant – The Twentieth Century Society". c20society.org.uk. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
4. ^ "Historic Coventry - List of Mayors & Lord Mayors". www.historiccoventry.co.uk. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
5. ^ a b "The Forgotten Elephant!". Coventry Society News. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
6. ^ "Proposal to close Coventry's 50m Olympic pool approved". BBC News. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
7. ^ "End of an era as Coventry baths opens for final swim on February 15". Coventry Observer. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
8. ^ "Coventry Swimming Baths - The Coventry Society". www.coventrysociety.org.uk. Retrieved 23 February 2021.