Waterfield Leisure Centre in Melton will receive £120,157 from Phase II of the Swimming Pool Support Fund to help boost their energy efficiency and keep running costs down.
The funding will be invested in photo voltaic (PV) panels and pool covers.
As part of Phase II of the Government and Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund, swimming pools across England will be receiving a share of £40 million of Exchequer funding, alongside a further £20 million of National Lottering funding provided by Sport England for the same purpose.
This investment of over £60 million in decarbonisation will make 325 leisure centres with pools across 264 Local Authorities more energy efficient, boosting the long-term energy and financial resilience of the public leisure sector.
This announcement means that DCMS and Sport England combined will have invested over an extra £80 million in England’s swimming pools in 2023/4 across 442 facilities.
Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton, said:
“With leisure centres facing increased energy costs over recent years, this funding is welcome news for Melton to ensure the financial sustainability of our swimming pool.
“Swimming is a brilliant way for people of all ages to stay active and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits. It is so important that the doors of local pools and leisure centres are kept open to provide this important facility for future generations to benefit from.”
Stuart Andrew MP, Sports Minister, 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.”
