Local swimming pools awarded cash to boost energy efficiency

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.”