Swimming group’s school pool vow

SPIRALLING energy bills and inflation mean schools in Nottingham are being forced to make cuts that will see essential resources like swimming pools close.

Total Swimming Group, where Rebecca Adlington is a director, is offering schools a lifeline with an energy bill pledge, meaning Nottingham schools can receive up to £60,000 each to help with rising heating and lighting costs.

According to research from Total Swimming Group, the average maintenance costs of a school pool including chemicals, gas, electricity and water, is nearly £40,000 and has risen 130% in the last year.

The situation is so dire, Swim England’s Decade of Decline report estimates, based on current pool trends, that the number of available pools could decrease by 40%, equating to 2,000 public swimming pools closing over the next 10 years.

Four-time Olympic medallist Adlington said: “Within the Nottingham area, school swimming pools are at risk of closing. If they make the difficult decision to close, this is going to have a huge impact on children, leaving primary school pupils unable to swim.

“As a group, we are taking action now because we believe no child should miss out on learning to swim. It’s a human right, not a privilege – an essential skill that provides a foundation for positive health and wellbeing, and could even save their lives.”

Schools interested in taking up the energy pledge can apply via www. tsadevelopments.co.uk