Swimming pools and leisure centres in South West to receive additional funding
325 sites across England will benefit from the government money
Swimming pools and leisure centres across the South West are going to receive a share of £60.5 million.
The government says the pledge - for 325 swimming pools and leisure centres across England - is aimed at ensuring their long term financial sustainability, by improving their energy efficiency in order to keep running costs down.
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.
Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said:
“We are sticking to our plan to get millions more people active by 2030, because we know that active people are fitter, happier and healthier.
“Millions of people swim every year in England, but increased energy costs mean some pools are struggling financially.
“This further £60 million of support from the Government and Sport England will ensure hundreds of swimming pools can lower their operating costs in the long run, and continue to provide an important service for communities across the country.”
Sites benefitting in the South West include:
- Admiral Swimming Centre - Torbay
- Ashburton Swimming Pool - Teignbridge
- Bath Sports & Leisure Centre - Bath and North East Somerset
- Camelford Leisure Centre - Cornwall
- Carn Brea Leisure Centre - Cornwall
- Chard Leisure Centre - Somerset
- Cotswold Leisure Cirencester - Cotswold
- Cricklade Leisure Centre - Wiltshire
- Dartmouth Open Air Pool - South Hams
- Dawlish Leisure Centre - Teignbridge
- Exe Valley Leisure Centre - Mid Devon
- Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre - Wiltshire
- Freedom Leisure Lydney - Forest of Dean
- Frome Leisure Centre - Somerset
- GL1 Leisure Centre - Gloucestershire
- Goldenstones Leisure Centre - Somerset
- Helston Sports Centre - Cornwall
- Henbury Leisure Centre - Bristol
- Holsworthy Leisure Centre - Torridge
- Hutton Moor Leisure Centre - North Somerset
- Ilfracombe Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre - North Devon
- Jubilee Pool (Penzance) - Cornwall
- Kingsteignton Swimming Pool - Teignbridge
- Link Centre - Swindon
- Longwell Green Leisure Centre - South Gloucestershire
- Moretonhampstead Swimming Pool - Teignbridge
- Normandy Swimming Pool - Isles of Scilly
- Parklands Leisure Centre - West Devon
- Plainmoor Community Pool - Torbay
- Plymouth Life Centre - Plymouth
- Portishead Open Air Pool - North Somerset
- Quayside Leisure Centre - South Hams
- Sandford Parks Lido - Cheltenham
- St Ives Leisure Centre - Cornwall
- The Activity Zone - Wiltshire
- The Pulse Dursley - Stroud
- Wadebridge Leisure Centre - Cornwall
- Wells Leisure Centre - Somerset
- Wotton Pool - Stroud
Former Team GB Swimmer Michael Gunning said:
“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:
“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.”