Appleby Leisure Centre, Penrith Leisure Centre and Wigton Baths have all received thousands of pounds as part of the Conservative Government' s Swimming Pool Support Fund to boost health and wellbeing across the nation and teaching children the life-saving skill of swimming. This move has been championed by Dr Neil Hudson MP who is a powerful lobbyist for local investment, and a passionate advocate for grassroots activity facilities.
This news coincides with February half-term, where children under the age of 16 are being offered swimming sessions for just 10p by Westmorland and Furness Council. Appleby, Barrow-in-Furness, Dalton-in-Furness, Kendal, Penrith and Ulverston pools are all taking part in the scheme and will allocate 2 hours per day for 10p all week. Dr Hudson is urging young folk to take advantage of this scheme to have fun, improve their technique and stay active. Book directly with your local swimming pool.
Since the Spring Budget last year, Sport England and the Government have been working closely to deliver the Swimming Pool Support Fund. The fund has been split into two phases, totalling over £60 million from the Exchequer and £20m from Sport England’s Lottery funding. The investment supports public and community facilities with swimming pools across England, ensuring that children and adults up and down the country continue to have access to a public swimming offer, so that people can get active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Phase 1 of the fund delivered £20.3 million of revenue funding to Local Authorities and 102 facilities targeted at addressing cost pressures facing public pools - particularly amid high energy prices driven up by the war in Ukraine. Phase 2 has expanded the fund dramatically and will enable pools to become more financially stable.
In Penrith and The Border local organisations have been awarded £378,068. This was split:
- Appleby Leisure Centre - £164,987
- Penrith Leisure Centre - £165,731
- Wigton Baths - £47,350
Dr Neil Hudson is a passionate advocate of the social good provided by swimming facilities - boosting health and wellbeing, supporting mental health and teaching children valuable life-saving swimming skills. This month he met Ellie Simmonds OBE and Michael Gunning for the unveiling of an exciting initiative which will get more primary school youngsters swimming. You can find out more here. Locally he also visited Penrith's newest pool - aided by a Government grant - which is now providing lessons for young people locally. More information is available here.
Government is committed to investing in grassroots sports with more than £600,000 invested in facilities in Penrith and The Border. Details can be found here.
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"This is truly levelling up in action. £378,000 is a mammoth amount for our Conservative Government to invest - providing financial stability for our brilliant swimming facilities in the constituency.
"Swimming is a vital life-saving skill for young people to learn, and unlocks a host of mental and physical health benefits."
