Published Friday, 31 January 2020

Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre’s 50m pool will be making a final splash with a swimming celebration – and entry prices are stepping back in time to the 1960s

On Saturday 15 February, the 50m pool will be open for swimming alongside the diving area, where the brave can plunge off the spring board, 5m and 10m boards.

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration, said: “The 50m pool at Fairfax Street has been much loved and well used by Coventrians for generations, but it has reached the end of its useable life.

“We’re thrilled that the new 50m pool at the Alan Higgs will provide a state of the art replacement, but felt it was only right to say goodbye to the leisure centre pool by going back in time to when it first opened and enjoying it for the final time. The whole pool will be opened up for people to enjoy as they choose, and we’ll even hark back to the days of Fishy Moores as we’ve booked up a chip van for outside so people can enjoy an indulgent post-swim treat the way they used to!”

The event will be the last time the pool is open, as the facility is being replaced by a new 50m pool at the Alan Higgs Centre.

Cllr Kamran Caan, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, added: “This event is a fantastic way to send off the 50m pool. I’m sure that there’ll be lots of people that want to come and have one last swim in the pool, whether they’re feeling nostalgic or would just like a great family activity at a bargain price from over fifty years ago!”

To mark the occasion, entry prices will also step back in time: just 50p for adults and 50p for children.

The pool will be open from 10am to 5pm. There’s no need to book, but session limits may implemented at peak times if it’s busy.

Fish and chips will be charged for separately.