Over 100 local authorities benefit from Swimming Pool Support Fund

Sport England has announced the swimming pools and leisure centres across England that will receive funding to support them in the face of rising operating costs.

The Swimming Pool Support Fund will provide 196 publicly owned leisure facilities with swimming pools across 103 local authorities with a share of £20.3 million to help them with cost pressures caused by increased energy prices and other operational factors.

The fund aims to help secure the future of facilities with those selected to receive funding based on the level of demand for their services, proximity to other similar facilities and the risk of closure.

The Fund was announced earlier this year in the Spring Budget as part of a larger package of measures including energy efficiency investment.

Tara Dillon, CEO of CIMSPA said,

“Our members and partners that work in and operate leisure facilities with pools, regularly tell us about the challenges that they are facing to remain open due to rising costs.

We welcome the allocation of funding to these facilities which will help them to safeguard their future, however, we know that there continues to be huge pressures across the sector.

It’s vital that services that allow people from a wide range of communities to access physical activity and all of its benefits are supported.”

Read more about The Swimming Pool Support Fund