Erith Leisure Centre, managed by Parkwood Leisure, has been awarded over £98,000 to support energy saving initiatives at the site, following a successful application to the Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF).
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.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Sport England Executive Director of Place 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.”
Initiatives at Erith will include new swimming pool covers, which will help retain heat and the installation of led lights (which consume less electricity).
Councillor Richard Diment, Cabinet Member for Places said,
We’re delighted that as a result of the collective efforts of the Council, Parkwood Leisure, FES Ltd (who look after maintenance at the centres) and Boxwood Leisure, we have been awarded this funding. This will contribute massively towards our energy reduction efforts at Erith Leisure Centre.
The Partnership’s bid to the SPSF was comprehensive and robust, with planned works building on significant investment that has already been made across all three centres in the contract (along with Sidcup and Crook Log) to reduce energy consumption.”