• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Sparkhill Baths

Almost half of the building is gone.

Can see the metal construction at the back over the baths (only observations when passing on the no 6 bus - on weekday mornings).


Not sure if anyone is taking photos of the site.
 
Even more of it gone since I last saw it from the bus!

Metal bit at the back is gone. Not much left unfortunately.
 
Sparkhill Baths news from the Birmingham Mail

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/new-sparkhill-pool-18-months-10466853

The opening of a new Birmingham swimming pool has been delayed for 18 months after the old building was found to be riddled with deadly asbestos.
Contractors demolishing the old Sparkhill Pool have found the poisonous material was used extensively throughout the building - meaning the new leisure centre will not be open until spring 2017.
It means the work has stopped several times since August 2014 to allow specialist contractors to decontaminate the site.
But now the City Council’s Labour cabinet has given the go ahead to begin work on the pool, one of six being built in Birmingham in a £36 million investment in leisure centres .
Planning permission for the new building was approved in February.
Cabinet member for contracts Stewart Stacey (Lab, Acocks Green) said: “Sparkhill Pool is not going as predicted.
“As happens with many older buildings, the asbestos was much, much worse than anyone thought it would be and more than was visible when the contract was signed.”
He explained the demolition has been a slow process as the contractors had to make sure one area was fully decontaminated before moving on to the next and finding more.
 
I learnt to swim at Sparkhill Baths. No thanks to the instructors or our school (Dennis road/Anderton Park) we were all made to jump in and any children not willing were helped to do so! Someone had to help fish me out after I stood on the bottom of the pool, left me with a lifelong fear of being underwater. I eventually learned with help from my friends. About 15 years ago I was managing 50 lengths, still keeping my face out the water but had progressed from swimming at the side of the pool, the lifeguards encouraged me to swim down the centre pointing out if I could swim that far I could make it to the side if I needed to.
 
Hi
Just found this thread. As of July'15 Google suggest that the baths still stands as I remember them.
Went to Yardley Grammar 1949/54 & used to go to the baths 52 -54 on the way home from school. The earlier postings from ellbrown show the diving boards at the deep end. I still remember having separated ribs when I went off the intermediate boards & hit the spring board at the lower level (probably mucking about)
Was the café upstairs? I remember having hot Horlicks (never having it since)
John
 
Hi
Just found this thread. As of July'15 Google suggest that the baths still stands as I remember them.
Went to Yardley Grammar 1949/54 & used to go to the baths 52 -54 on the way home from school. The earlier postings from ellbrown show the diving boards at the deep end. I still remember having separated ribs when I went off the intermediate boards & hit the spring board at the lower level (probably mucking about)
Was the café upstairs? I remember having hot Horlicks (never having it since)
John


The Baths were still standing when I drove past last week, terrible shame to think such a building isn't protected though.
 
The Baths were still standing when I drove past last week, terrible shame to think such a building isn't protected though.

Someone I know who used to live in Sparkhill (and knows the baths well) said they drove past this Sunday and the baths had been demolished.
 
I've been occasionally observing the demolition from the bus since October!

The pile of rubble at the back is quite high now!


Maybe you (Scarlet) were looking at Sparkhill Libarary or Sparkhill Police Station?
 
I've been occasionally observing the demolition from the bus since October!

The pile of rubble at the back is quite high now!


Maybe you (Scarlet) were looking at Sparkhill Libarary or Sparkhill Police Station?

I think you must be right. I'm shocked with myself for being mistaken though. I don't pass that way very often now and it was dark and raining and I was driving but still....
 
Left untouched asbestos is usually [reasonably] safe it tends to be upon removal or maintenance, that it is dispersed into the air.
 
I think you must be right. I'm shocked with myself for being mistaken though. I don't pass that way very often now and it was dark and raining and I was driving but still....

It's easier to notice in the morning from the bus (heading towards the city centre), than after dark. There is also a primary school to the left of the demolition site (and close to Sparkhill Park)
 
After a long while, today noticed (from the bus) JCB's on the Sparkhill Baths site, digging up the pile of soil that was left there by the demolition company last year.

I don't know if that means the construction of the new swimming pool there will begin soon or not.
 
Construction has been under way here for a few months now. Steel frame to the back so far (from what I've seen passing on the bus). Hope it will be in keeping with Sparkhill Library and Police Station!
 
Looking at it again this morning from the bus, the steel girders seems to fill the full site now (close to the Stratford Road side).
 
Sparkhill Baths to open in summer 2017.

https://www.birminghamupdates.com/a...l-and-fitness-centre-set-to-open-next-summer/

Representatives from Birmingham City Council, Places for People Leisure, Pellikaan Construction and Roberts Limbrick Architects attended the ceremony to celebrate the highest point of building work being completed and were also given a tour of the new centre.

Places for People Leisure were awarded the 15-year Design, Build, Operate and Maintain contract for Sparkhill Pool and Fitness Centre by Birmingham City Council. The Centre will include a six lane, 25m pool with viewing areas, along with a learner pool, a state of the art 80 station fitness suite, dance studios, café and community room as well as sauna and steam facilities.
 
Back
Top