AROUND 1,000 people packed out a local park yesterday for a fundraiser which will help the restoration of much-loved historic city building.
Since Maindee Baths closed in 2005, the Victoria Avenue building suffered two arson attacks and vandalism and as a consequence needs to be completely renovated.
Its new owners, the Gassor family, hope to transform the grade II listed building into a community hub.
For yesterday’s event, which took four months of planning, Kay and Gary Gassor invited Gwent businesses along to Kem Park, Corporation Road.
The couple run the Martial Arts and Fitness Centre on Chepstow Road and youngsters showcased their moves to the audience in three displays.
Food stalls and rides were welcomed by all who attended, with the owners asked to make a donation towards the project.
Emily Wood, 30, enjoyed watching her son Brachyn Jenkins, 12, on the rodeo machine.
“It’s quite nostalgic for me as the baths are where I learnt to swim,” she said.
Julie O’Keeffe, 43, echoed these views.
“I used to live opposite the baths so I want to see it up and running again,” she said.
It will take several weeks before the organisers know how much money they have raised.