Funds from £20 Million pot secured to keep community pools afloat

Redditch Borough Council is proud to announce that it has been awarded a share of the £20 million Swimming Pool Relief Fund, a vital lifeline for swimming pools and leisure centres across the nation.

Just over £177k of funding will go to Abbey Stadium to assist in covering increased operating costs as well as contributing to improving the long-term sustainability of the centre.

The funds aim to address challenges posed by rising energy and maintenance costs faced by leisure centres across the country and is part of the government's broader effort to support grassroots sports facilities and achieve its ambitious target of getting 3.5 million more people active by 2030.

Leisure Portfolio Holder, Cllr Joanne Beecham, said: “Thank you to our officers who have worked very hard to ensure a successful bid. Our community greatly values and benefits from the facilities provided by Abbey Stadium, and this investment is a huge help in ensuring its continued success. It's very important for everyone to learn to swim for health and especially safety around water, so I'm extremely happy that our government is prioritising swimming pool support with this fund.”

Swimming is a valuable life skill that impacts safety, physical health, and mental well-being for people of all ages. Swim England's latest Value of Swimming report has highlighted the social value of water-based activities, such as swimming, amounting to £2.4 billion annually.

Council Leader, Cllr Matt Dormer, said: “Unfortunately, as a town, we have a sad history when it comes to water safety and I recognise, as both a retained firefighter and a father, the life-saving significance of swimming skills. I’m pleased that our bid was successful because it means the Abbey Stadium can continue promoting healthier lifestyles but will also allow them to continue to educate and encourage safety around water for people of all ages.”

Managing Director of Rubicon Leisure, which runs many of the borough’s leisure and cultural facilities on behalf of the Council, Ben Clawson-Chan, said: “We're thrilled to receive £177k from the Swimming Pool Relief Fund for Abbey Stadium. It'll help us tackle rising costs and maintain top-notch services, promoting healthy living and swimming skills for all. We are grateful for this support in ensuring the centre’s continued success.”

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Sport England's Director of Place, said: "We know just how vital swimming pools and leisure centres are to our nation's activity levels. Many pools have faced a real and significant threat to their survival this year, as local authorities and operators battle the challenge of increased energy and maintenance costs, weakened reserves and difficulties with retaining staff. This is 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."

Administered by Sport England, the fund provides a total of £60 million, over two phases, to local authorities in England as a support package for public leisure facilities with swimming pools.

The allocation of funds in this phase, to 103 local authorities, benefiting 196 leisure centres and swimming pools, will support over 23 million swims a year collectively, meaning millions of people across the country will have the chance to stay fit and healthy, contributing to the Government’s aim to cut obesity rates and get millions more people active.