Sports club wants to revive 'historic' Crewe baths as new swimming and padel leisure hub
Proposals have been unveiled to transform Crewe's long-closed Flag Lane Baths into a major community sports and leisure hub, with two swimming pools, six covered padel tennis courts and a host of new facilities.
The plans, drawn up by Cheshire County Sports Club, would see the "historic" site redeveloped to include a gym, spin studio, dance studio, meeting room, community café and a soft play area for children.
Wellness features such as a sauna, steam room, ice baths and jacuzzi also form part of the proposals, alongside a youth and fun zone with a pool table, bar, Sky Sports and darts
Working in partnership with Puddle Ducks, Cheshire Pools and Spa's and One Padel, there would also be an indoor skating ramp, a high ropes-style sky trail, and the headline addition of six covered padel courts.
The possibility of this scheme seems uncertain, however, as Cheshire East Council has earmarked the site for a new alternative provision school for up to 70 children unable to attend mainstream education.
In September 2024, the council rubber-stamped the decision to scrap earlier community hub plans from the Always Ahead Charity, instead seeking government permission to redevelop the former baths as a specialist school.
The building has stood derelict for nine years, costing the council £140,000 during that period, according to a freedom of information request.
Managing director at Cheshire County Sports Club, Andrew Chandler, told Nub News: *"Our Facebook page is Save Crewe Pool & Fitness Centre.
"We have even discussed the possibility of using some areas of the building for the Always Ahead charity that previously were looking at the site.
"We know about the school site and proceeded initially under that assumption but when we started to press a little we were told it could take another two years for that to be decided.
"Through a freedom of information request the site has cost the council £140,000 in the nine years it has been closed.
"At the moment, we asked for approval to apply for funding but we cannot do that as the owner (council) have not given permission.
"We have even given two other location suggestions where the school could go (that fit with the councils own requests) and stated how we would be able to work with the students of the new school, as you know that is for children who have been removed from local schools.
"We wanted to give them future employment, training and work placement help.
"So far, the councillors for the area have stated they are unwilling to help or even ask the council to consider our option.
"Given our project revolves around the pool, we don't believe there is anywhere else in Crewe. It is the historic value that we and our partners like."*
The former baths are currently expected to be bulldozed to make way for the school, although councillors have said they hope to retain the original façade as part of any redevelopment.
A timescale for demolition or new building has yet to be confirmed, with Cheshire East still waiting on a decision from the Department for Education.
Chair of Cheshire East's children and families committee, Cllr Laura Crane, told Nub News: "Last year we begun positive discussions with the Department for Education (DfE) and an academy trust about plans for a new alternative provision school at the former Flag Lane Baths site in Crewe.
"While we have not yet received a formal update from the DfE on their decision, we remain fully committed to supporting them with any due diligence required to progress the project."
READ MORE: Sainsbury's to open store at new commercial development on outskirts of Crewe.
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