Ellie Ames 06 November 2023

£20m boost for leisure centres

£20m boost for leisure centres image
Image: Gorodenkoff / Shutterstock.com

The Government has awarded local authorities a share of £20m to support swimming pools and leisure centres that are most at risk of closure or significant service reduction.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said the funding would go to 196 leisure centres and swimming pools in 103 local authorities to help with increased operating costs.

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, executive director for place at non-departmental government body Sport England, said: ‘Many pools have faced a real and significant threat to their survival this year, as operators battle the challenge of increased energy and maintenance costs, weakened reserves and difficulties with retaining staff.’

She said while the funding was important, it was ‘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.’

The money is part of the the Swimming Pool Support Fund, which was announced in the Spring Budget.

The DCMS said that ‘over the coming months’, the recipients of a further £40m would be announced, with the funding to be spent making pools and leisure centres more energy efficient.

Last month, Swim England revealed that more than 1,000 publicly accessible pools have closed since 2010.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Interim Head of Waste Management

Essex County Council
Up to £650.0000 per day + Umbrella
Interim Head of Waste ManagementTemporary, Full TimePay Rate
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Planning Policy Officer

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£44,355 - £53,120 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Planning Policy Officer to join us! Maidenhead, Berkshire
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Occupational Therapist

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£35,676 - £42,811 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for an Occupational Therapist to join us! Maidenhead, Berkshire / Multiple
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Personal Advisor

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37,766- £47,830 per annum
Personal Advisor£37,766- £47,830 ... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior Social Worker (Hospital Team)

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£45,831 - £50,414 per annum, plus an annual retention bonus of £3,000 subject to eligibility.
We have exciting opportunities for Senior Social Workers to join the Hospital Discharge Team! Maidenhead, Berkshire
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
Linkedin Banner