More than 100 local authorities across England have received funding from the Swimming Pool Support Fund to help them keep public pools open in the face of challenging financial pressures.
In total, Sport England has awarded 196 publicly owned leisure facilities with swimming pools from 103 authorities a share of £20.3m to support with increased cost pressures, associated with recent rises in energy and operating costs.
These pools and leisure centres were selected based on their risk of closure, the proximity to other swimming pools providing public swimming, and the level of demand for the facility.
The central Government fund, which was announced as part of the Spring Budget, is worth £60.3 million in total and is split into two phases. The awards that were recently announced, and £40m that's for investment to improve the energy efficiency of public facilities with pools in the medium to long term.
Cllr Michele Mead, leader of the Conservative group at West Oxfordshire District Council, said "This funding announcement really is great news for leisure centres in West Oxfordshire and shows the Conservative government are committed to supporting sport and leisure in our communities. This cash boost will be crucial with helping ensure the district council has the funding to keep our leisure centres afloat."
Cllr Mead added, "We strongly disagreed with the district council coalition when they made the decision to only open Woodstock leisure centre on a shorter time frame this Summer blaming a rise in costs and I hope the district council will apply for further funding to be spent here so next year Woodstock can open as normal."
In total £354,940 has been allocated to support leisure centres in West Oxfordshire with £113,341 being awarded to Carterton Leisure Centre, £96,853 to Chipping Norton Leisure Centre, and £144,746 for the Windrush Leisure Centre in Witney.
Sport England executive director for place, Lisa Dodd-Mayne said it's been important to distribute the funding fairly and quickly given the crucial role these facilities play in communities across the country.
“We know just how vital swimming pools and leisure centres are to our nation’s activity levels, which is why Sport England is proud to have played a central role in the delivery of this fund,” she explained.
“Many pools have faced a real and significant threat to their survival this year, as local authorities and operators battle the challenge of increased energy and maintenance costs, weakened reserves and difficulties with retaining staff.
“This announcement is an important moment in time but is, by no means, the end of the work facing us or the support available as we continue to work with our partners to ensure the long-term viability of these vital community resources.”
