Cash to help pools stay afloat
MACCLESFIELD and Poynton leisure centres will each receive government funding designed to keep swimming pools afloat amid soaring costs.
Nearly 200 centres across England have received a share of £20 million from the Swimming Pool Support Fund announced in the March Budget.
Among them is Macclesfield Leisure Centre, on Priory Lane, which has been given £66,190.
And Poynton’s, on Yew Tree Lane, has received £46,170.
The Government says the first round of funding has gone to sites most at risk of closure or significant service reduction and will be used to help with energy and running costs.
As reported in last week’s Macclesfield
Express, Cheshire East Council is set to review its leisure centres.
But this week has scrapped plans to withdraw funding from
four sites - including Poynton - which would have left them to be run privately or closed.
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 sustainability of public swimming pools over the long term.”
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, an executive director at Sport England, commented: “Many pools have faced a real and significant threat to their survival as operators battle the challenge of increased energy costs, weakened reserves and difficulties with retaining staff.”