New plans for Byrne Avenue Baths - 20th Aug 2012 9:05am
In today's Echo
New images show how much-loved Merseyside pool will be refurbished
NEW images show how a much-loved Merseyside swimming baths is to be revamped by a group led by local businessmen.
Swimmers and staff at the Byrne Avenue Baths, in Rock Ferry, were left shocked in February, 2009, when a notice was pinned to the door saying the pool had shut down during its 75th anniversary year.
It had been run by a registered charity, the Byrne Avenue Recreational Trust, who leased the building from Wirral Council, which owns the freehold.
The council last year agreed to lease the building to the Byrne Avenue Community Trust, made up of a group of local businessmen, who aim to see it re-open and become a community centre run by and for local people.
The trust is still trying to obtain £350,000 in funding to match that pledged by Wirral Council towards the cost of bringing the centre back into use.
Local businessman John Fennah, one of those pushing the scheme forward, said they were now seeking more involvement from the local community to help with funding bids.
Among those who have already stepped forward is John Wilson, an architectural graduate from John Moores University who has helped develop the 3-D images showing how Byrne Avenue will look once refurbishment is completed as they seek the extra funding. The images show how the pool area, dance studio and changing rooms will be refurbished and brought up to date,
Mr Fennah said: "John came around the site with us and went through, getting a good understanding of what we are trying to achieve. In essence, except for perhaps the colour schemes, that is pretty much how it will look.
"At the moment, we're preparing the funding bids and strengthening the board at the trust. The funding bids are massive and take a long time to complete – and we're making sure we tick every box.
"We are also talking to a number of potential private investors, who we hope might be able to provide sizeable funds, but the key to our success is getting the local community involved and even fundraising. That will help get the support from Lottery funding."
For more details, visit www.savebyrneavenue.org.uk
Quote
New images show how much-loved Merseyside pool will be refurbished
NEW images show how a much-loved Merseyside swimming baths is to be revamped by a group led by local businessmen.
Swimmers and staff at the Byrne Avenue Baths, in Rock Ferry, were left shocked in February, 2009, when a notice was pinned to the door saying the pool had shut down during its 75th anniversary year.
It had been run by a registered charity, the Byrne Avenue Recreational Trust, who leased the building from Wirral Council, which owns the freehold.
The council last year agreed to lease the building to the Byrne Avenue Community Trust, made up of a group of local businessmen, who aim to see it re-open and become a community centre run by and for local people.
The trust is still trying to obtain £350,000 in funding to match that pledged by Wirral Council towards the cost of bringing the centre back into use.
Local businessman John Fennah, one of those pushing the scheme forward, said they were now seeking more involvement from the local community to help with funding bids.
Among those who have already stepped forward is John Wilson, an architectural graduate from John Moores University who has helped develop the 3-D images showing how Byrne Avenue will look once refurbishment is completed as they seek the extra funding. The images show how the pool area, dance studio and changing rooms will be refurbished and brought up to date,
Mr Fennah said: "John came around the site with us and went through, getting a good understanding of what we are trying to achieve. In essence, except for perhaps the colour schemes, that is pretty much how it will look.
"At the moment, we're preparing the funding bids and strengthening the board at the trust. The funding bids are massive and take a long time to complete – and we're making sure we tick every box.
"We are also talking to a number of potential private investors, who we hope might be able to provide sizeable funds, but the key to our success is getting the local community involved and even fundraising. That will help get the support from Lottery funding."
For more details, visit www.savebyrneavenue.org.uk
![[Linked Image]](http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/liverpoolecho/aug2012/5/9/artist-s-impression-of-how-the-refurbished-pool-area-at-byrne-avenue-baths-will-look-620-982383113.jpg)
