WAVES GOODBYE: Demolition of iconic Blackburn swimming baths to be confirmed

THE demolition of Blackburns iconic Waves Water Fun Centre is expected to be confirmed by councillors this week.

The 25-year-old baths, in Nab Lane, will close this spring and Blackburn with Darwen Council is expected to sell the site.

Work on a modern 13.5 million leisure centre, backed by Blackburn College, is already under way in nearby Feilden Street.

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A report before the councils executive board, which meets on Thursday, recommends that councillors approve the demolition and give regeneration bosses the go-ahead to tender the demolition contract.

The report reads: The new leisure centre being developed in partnership with Blackburn College is nearing completion. It is anticipated that the current Waves Centre will cease operations in spring 2015 and become vacant.

The costs of holding empty property, its vulnerability, lack of alternative use for the building and the potential for a new development point to a requirement for early demolition.

Waves currently costs 32,000 per month to run, and even after demolition the holding costs of the site are expected to be around 17,000 per month costs which will be met by the councils leisure department.

Councillor Maureen Bateson, executive member for regeneration, said: The opening of the leisure centre in the spring and the demolition of Waves will create a new site for redevelopment and regeneration in the town centre.

Regeneration bosses will look to use the same contractor to demolish The Exchange Offices once home to the councils childrens services department the report added.

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WAVES GOODBYE: Demolition of iconic Blackburn swimming baths to be confirmed