Leisure centres with pools given funding boost to combat cost-of-living crisis

Sport England has confirmed that on Wednesday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will outline that £63 million is to be made available to leisure centres with swimming pools over one year.

The fund will be managed by Sport England, and will allow local authorities to apply for funding for leisure centres with pools facing urgent challenges. The announcement follows a lengthy campaign from the Alliance and sector partners for better support for these vital community facilities.

Responding to the announcement, Lisa Wainwright, Sport and Recreation Alliance CEO, said: 

"This is hugely positive news for our sector at a time when it is under immense strain from rising energy costs.

“We are extremely pleased the sector's collective voice has been heard and the funding announced by the Chancellor will help make sure vital community facilities can continue to keep people active and support the nation's health and wellbeing.

“It is also a welcome recognition of the importance of sport, recreation and physical activity and the benefits it brings to our communities. We will support Government and sector partners to make sure this money gets to where it is needed as quickly as possible.

“We know that the wider sector is still facing significant pressures and we will continue to monitor the situation over the coming months and engage in constructive conversations with sector partners and government to ensure that all sport and recreation organisations are supported to deliver the societal benefits associated with being active.”

For more information, read Sport England’s statement here.

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