More than 300 swimming pools to benefit from £60 million to support long-term future

[Hereford Voice]

More than 300 swimming pools to benefit from £60 million to support long-term future

325 swimming pools and leisure centres across England will receive a share of £60.5 million to ensure their long term financial sustainability, by improving their energy efficiency in order to keep running costs down.

Awards have been granted to;

• Hereford Leisure Pool - £24,500
• Ross Swimming Pool - £58,100
• Teme Leisure - Ludlow - £208,023
• Sandford Park Lido in Cheltenham - £306,065
• Gloucester Leisure Centre - £432,500

Hundreds of facilities have received Government investment to help improve the energy efficiency of their pools and leisure centres. Measures being supported by the latest Swimming Pool Support Fund investment include funding for new heating systems, solar panels, better insulation and other energy saving interventions.

• Over 300 public swimming pools across England will receive a share of £60 million from the Government and Sport England to improve their energy efficiency and keep running costs down
• Builds on almost 200 swimming pools that received a share of £20 million through Phase I of the Swimming Pool Support Fund, taking total spend to £80 million 
• Investment will help ensure that millions of visitors can continue to use these facilities, helping us meet our target to get 3.5 million more people active by 2030

Former Team GB Swimmer Michael Gunning said:

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Our pools are a hub for the entire community and I’ve seen first-hand the importance of increasing access to aquatics for people of all ages.

The pandemic was a tough time for all of us, but this investment will mean many more people from all backgrounds will have the chance to use their local pool. Whether it’s learning a vital skill, bringing families together to have fun, or using the water to improve your physical and mental health – swimming pools save lives.

 

Sport England Executive Director for Place Lisa Dodd-Mayne said:

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Swimming pools and leisure centres are vital community resources and are enormously important in helping people to be physically active.

Many pools have faced a real and significant threat to their survival this year, as local authorities and operators have battled the challenge of increased energy and wider costs, weakened reserves and difficulties with retaining staff.

Sport England is proud of the role we’ve played in supporting these facilities through this difficult period. We hope today’s funding announcement will enable more public pools to improve their energy efficiency to be more environmentally and financially sustainable so they remain available for future generations to enjoy.

 

Full details HERE 

[H.Wilson]

Goo to read that some money is being invested locally and towards good things like swimming pools.