Carlisle leaders will take a vote next week on whether to mothball a beloved heritage asset or keep it open as long as possible.
Carlisle City Council’s executive is set to meet at the Civic Centre next Monday and will vote on the fate of Carlisle’s Turkish Baths which have been the focus of much debate and concern over the last 18 months.
The health and wellbeing facility is currently set to close next month in preparation for the demolition of the 1970s James Street Pools next-door, leading to concerns from stakeholders about its future.
Campaigners have called for the Grade II listed building to remain open as long as possible up to the demolition of the Pools and ideally refurbished for a bright future beyond the completion of the works.
And at the meeting next week, councillors will vote on the facility’s future. The options are to commission GLL to continue operating at the baths, maintaining the building until the end of December, or close them to the public, mothballing facilities until demolition works begin.
Chairwoman of the campaign group, Julie Minns, said: “It will be good to finally have clarity. We would’ve liked to have had this some months ago, we have embarked on our viability study which is very complex.
“We hope they make the right decision for the people of Carlisle and in particular, the community of people who regularly use this and depend on the Turkish Baths. Eighteen months ago it was a question of more people using it, local people and increasingly, visitors, have resoundingly answered that.”
Ms Minns believes that there should be no obstacles left for the baths to remain open up to the demolition of the pools.
Demolition of the 1970s pool building will make way for the expansion of Carlisle’s railway station under a regeneration scheme part-funded by £20 million from the Borderlands Growth Deal.
GLL staff are already moving to Carlisle’s new home of swimming provision, the redeveloped Sands Centre.
However, the report set to be discussed by councillors next week reveals that GLL would be prepared to operate the Turkish Baths up to the demolition.
If that is the decision the executive takes, the city council would have to pick up the £15,000 per month bill for staff, utility costs and overheads.
Ms Minns said: “We know that GLL have already begun the decant from the James Street pools and we understand the new pools will open on October 10.”
She hopes that GLL will be in a position to respond quickly if the city council votes to keep the baths open.
“GLL have been exceptional helpful over the last few months we are really pleased they are able and ready to continue to operate the baths, so the ball is firmly with the council executive.”
