Campaigners launch petition to reopen leisure centre

A petition has been launched to reopen and restore a city centre leisure complex.

The Elephant in Coventry, so-called because of its shape, was built in the 1970s and closed in February 2020 due to spiralling maintenance and repair costs.

The BBC has previously reported that the site continues to cost Coventry City Council about £400,000 a year to maintain.

Kauser Husain, who set up the petition, said: "People's needs aren't being met with The Elephant being closed. Sports facilities in the city aren't easily accessible for everyone if they have to travel out of the city centre.

"The Elephant can be so much more, and we hope more people sign the petition and show up for their city," he added.

Richard Jardin ran No Strings Badminton at the leisure centre, which included an Olympic-sized swimming pool. He said: "I used to get so many people from different ages and backgrounds.

"It makes me feel sad just looking at it with all the rust, and I just hope that someone out there can liven it up, because it is a beautiful building.

"I would say there's a shortage of sports facilities in the city."

The petition will run until 14 September 2025.

The council have been contacted for their views on the petition.

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