Local swimming pools awarded cash to boost energy efficiency

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Saturday, 23 March 2024 06:52

By Shaun Moore

Local swimming pools have received grants to help boost their energy efficiency and keep running costs down.

The money has come from the £60.5 million Phase II of the Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF) and has been split between 325 pools from more than 260 local authorities.

These grants, which range in size from £3,000 to nearly £1m, have helped to fund projects such as installing solar panels, pool covers, LED lighting and improving insulation.

The following have been awarded:

Shropshire

Teme Leisure - Ludlow - £208,023
Wem Lifestyle and Swimming Centre - £138,400

Herefordshire

Hereford Leisure Pool - £24,500
Ross Swimming Pool - £58,100

Gloucestershire

GL1 Gloucester Leisure Centre - £432,500
Sandford Park Lido in Cheltenham - £306,065
Cotswold Leisure in Cirencester - £208,470
The Pulse in Durlsey - £298,400
Wotton Pool - £6,000
Freedom Leisure in Lydney - £9,947

“Swimming pools and leisure centres are vital community resources and are enormously important in helping people to be physically active,” said Lisa Dodd-Mayne.

“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.”