Formby pool and Meadows Leisure Centre in Maghull are two of hundreds of facilities that is set to receive Government investment to help improve the energy efficiency of their pools and leisure centres.
With the increase in energy costs over recent years, the Government has recognised the importance of these facilities to people of all ages, and stepped in to make sure the doors of local pools and leisure centres are kept open for local communities.
The latest round of funding is intended to help the longer term energy and financial resilience of the sector, with 96% of applicants for the latest round being successful in the application for Government and Sport England funding.
Formby pool will receive £57,905 for photo voltaic (PV) panels and Meadows Leisure Centre in Maghull £140,000 for heat recovery to air handling units and photo voltaic (PV) panels.
In total, this means that 442 swimming pools in 367 local authorities will have benefited from a share of £80 million funding since the fund was announced in last year’s budget. The first £20 million of funding from Phase I the Swimming Pool Support Fund went to swimming pools and leisure centres most at risk of closure or significant service reduction in November, with 196 facilities benefitting.
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".
Successful applicants have been funded to make renovations to facilities which are expected to reduce their energy consumption, and in their applications needed to outline why the interventions were appropriate and deliverable. Other criteria for selection included an assessment of the expected energy saving, distances from other pools, and the strategic importance of each site at a local level.
Former Team GB Swimmer Michael Gunning added:
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".
The Government recently published its new sport strategy to get 2.5 million more adults and one million more young people meeting the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance of 150 minutes per week for adults, and 60 minutes per day for young people by 2030.
To help reach this target, this support for swimming pools is part of record investment of almost £400 million in grassroots facilities, including in multi-sport facilities and park tennis courts.
