At-risk swimming pools have been awarded a share of £20 million of Government funding to keep them afloat.
The Swimming Pool Support Fund was announced in the March Budget to support facilities in response to increased operating costs.
This first £20 million of funding is going to 196 swimming pools and leisure centres most at risk of closure or significant cuts, and will help towards immediate maintenance costs, heating and pool chemicals.
In Gedling borough, Arnold Leisure Centre received £98,758, Calverton scooped £11,369 and Carlton Forum was granted £17,398
Operating costs including, but not limited to, heating have increased considerably in recent months, with local authorities facing greater challenges to keep pools open.
Officers from the council’s Leisure and Finance teams submitted a detailed application for the funding, which was created to support local authority swimming pools with the increased costs associated with energy price rises.
Since November 2022 the costs to heat the three borough leisure centres has increased by £27,400 per month.
Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne said;
“I’m delighted to announce that we have been successful in securing this much needed funding from Sport England, contributing towards the energy costs of running our pools and ensuring we can continue to offer these leisure facilities to our residents.
We know how important swimming facilities are, not only providing a place where residents can learn a lifesaving skill, but also somewhere to socialise, and support physical and mental wellbeing. It’s so important that we continue to make these facilities accessible to our residents, and thanks to funding like this we can continue to do so.
I’d like to thank our Leisure and Finance teams for their outstanding work on this application, and to Sport England for providing these vital funds for our leisure services.”
Swim England’s latest Value of Swimming report said swimming helps generate social benefits, such as improved communities, skills and education worth £2.4 billion a year.
Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said: “Leisure centres and pools are vital for millions of people to stay fit and healthy, and we know that many public swimming pools are experiencing greater pressure due to increased operating costs.
“We have heard their concerns and have stepped in to help them make ends meet with £20 million immediate relief, and a further £40 million to help improve the sustainability of public swimming pools over the long term.”
The funding has been welcomed by five-time British Olympic swimmer Mark Foster.
“From babies and children learning to swim, to older adults using their local pool to get active and socialise, swimming has a huge range of benefits and I am a passionate advocate for investment in the grassroots,” he said.
Executive Director for Place, Sport England, Lisa Dodd-Mayne added: “We know just how vital swimming pools and leisure centres are to our nation’s activity levels, which is why Sport England is proud to have played a central role in the delivery of this fund.
“Many pools have faced a real and significant threat to their survival this year, as operators battle the challenge of increased energy and maintenance costs, weakened reserves and difficulties with retaining staff.
“Today’s announcement is an important moment in time, but is by no means the end of the work facing us or the support available as we continue to work with our partners to ensure the long-term viability of these vital community resources.”
Over the coming months the recipients of a further £40 million will be announced.
“Many pools have faced a real and significant threat to their survival this year, as operators battle the challenge of increased energy and maintenance costs, weakened reserves and difficulties with retaining staff.
“Today’s announcement is an important moment in time, but is by no means the end of the work facing us or the support available as we continue to work with our partners to ensure the long-term viability of these vital community resources.”
Gedling Borough Council has also applied for further funding from Phase 2 of Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund. If successful, the Phase 2 funding will be used to upgrade the council’s swim facilities to become more energy efficient and would support the council’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.
Over the coming months the recipients of this further £40 million will be announced.
