Future of Guinea Gap Baths to be decided this week

Jun 23 2010 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

THE future of a Wallasey sports centre which was at the centre of controversial closure plans will be decided this week.

Guinea Gap Baths was initially slated for closure under the Strategic Asset Review, which also threatened the future of 11 libraries across the borough.

The plans were fiercely opposed by the Conservatives, and Seacombe Labour councillor Adrian Jones, who as mayor at the time had opposed the closure behind the scenes.

Last night, Cllr Jones said this was now “an opportunity for the new administration to put their money where their mouth is”.

The Conservative ruling cabinet will, on Thursday, be asked to approve ongoing costs of £640,000 a year to retain the facility.

Last night, council leader Jeff Green said there was no question they would stick by their campaign promise.

He said: “Labour, when they were in control of the council, put Guinea Gap on death row – only giving it funding until the election was out of the way.”