Pools across county get share of £60m funding
SPORT ENGLAND IS GRANTING MONEY TO LEISURE CENTRES
MORE than 300 public swimming pools in England will receive a share of £60m in funding from the Government and Sport England, which includes six pools in Lincolnshire.
The money will help leisure centres to become more energy efficient and keep the running costs down.
This funding also builds on the almost 200 swimming pools that received a share of £20m through the first phase of the Swimming Pool Support Fund.
It is hoped that investment into the pools will help more visitors to use the services and meet the national goal of getting 3.5 million more people active by 2030.
The Lincolnshire pools set to benefit from the funding include the Meridian Leisure Centre, and Woodlane Playing Fields in Louth, which will receive £591,173.
In Boston, the Princess Royal Sports Arena will receive £203,858 and in West Lindsey the West Lindsey Leisure Centre in Gainsborough will get £401,500.
Other sites to receive funding include the Yarborough Leisure Centre in Lincoln, which should be given £614,350, as well as £165,713 to One NK in North Hykeham and £59,023 to Wragby Swimming Pool.
The centres will be using the money to invest in new heating systems, solar panels, 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.”
Swimming is a great way for people of all ages and abilities to keep active, and is good for mental and physical health.
With the increase in energy costs over recent years, the Government has recognised the importance of these facilities and wants to make sure the doors of local pools and leisure centres are kept open.
This latest round of funding is intended to help the energy and financial resilience of the sector over the long term, and 96 per cent of applicants were successful in their funding bids.
This means a total of 442 swimming pools in 367 local authorities will benefit from the funding.
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.”