Funding to support swimming pool received

Hastings Borough Council has received £266,573 from the government's Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF).

The funding is for additional photovoltaic panels (£126,984) and replacement boilers (£139,589) at Summerfields Leisure Centre. These will reduce the energy consumption level of the facility, which will help with financial sustainability and reduce the carbon output.

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, lead councillor for sport and leisure, said: "It's been a tough few years for swimming pools nationally, with attendances affected by the pandemic, then followed and more recently with the increase in swimming pool energy bills. The council in partnership with Freedom Leisure previously secured a phase one SPSF revenue grant of £98,000, to help cover the increase in utility bills at Summerfields. And now I'm pleased to announce that we have been successful with a phase 2 bid to invest in the centre, making it more energy efficient, whilst reducing the ongoing energy bills. Swimming is a great form of exercise, and having a local pool is an essential resource for our local residents."

Freedom Leisure Area Manager, Toby Reed, said: "We are pleased Hastings Borough Council has been successful in securing government funding via the Swimming Pool Support Fund and we look forward to working with the Council to support the swimming facilities at Summerfields Leisure Centre going forward."

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director - Place at Sport England, 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."

Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said: "Millions of people swim every year in England, but high energy costs mean some pools are struggling financially. I know from personal experience the health benefits of getting down to your local pool, whether that's just for a few lengths, to swim with friends, or a water aerobics class. This further £60 million of support from the Government and Sport England will make hundreds of swimming pools more energy efficient so they can keep offering their vital community and health benefits for generations to come."

Editor's Notes:
Over 500 capital interventions in over 300 facilities with swimming pools have been awarded funding from the Government and Sport England's £60m capital investment programme. The interventions include photo-voltaic cells, LED lights and pool covers as well as variety of other capital improvements aimed at improving the energy efficiency of public facilities with pools in the medium to long term.  264 local authorities have received a share of the funding, of which £20m has been provided by Sport England via the National Lottery and just over £40m has been provided by the Government as part of their commitment to support the long-term sustainability of public leisure.

In October 2023, the council were also successful with a SPSF phase 1 grant (revenue) of £98,000, which covers Freedom Leisure's estimated increase in utility costs at Summerfields Leisure Centre.

Summerfields Leisure Centre is on course to hit 90,000 visitors to the swimming pool for the 2023/24 financial year.