Three Dorset swimming pools have received a huge cash boost from a government scheme.
This comes as part of a government scheme that will see 325 swimming pools and leisure centres across England receiving a share of £60.5 million to ensure their long-term financial sustainability which will be done by improving their energy efficiency in order to keep running costs down.
Measures being supported by the latest Swimming Pool Support Fund investment include funding for new heating systems, solar panels, better insulation and other energy saving interventions.
Weymouth Swimming and Fitness Centre received a £125,000 boost from the South West National Lottery (Sport England) scheme which will go towards pool covers and variable speed pumps.
Osprey Leisure Centre on Portland received £49,597 from the scheme which will go towards new Photo Voltaic (PV) panels, as well as an upgrading the pool hall windows to triple glazing.
Finally, RiversMeet Leisure Centre in Gillingham received a sum of £88,200 which will be spent on PV panels and replacing the current fluorescent lighting with LED lighting.
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.
Sport England Executive Director for Place, Lisa Dodd-Mayne said: “ Swimming pools and leisure centres are vital community resources and are enormously important in helping people to be physically active.
“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.”
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