Dr Neil Hudson MP has welcomed the launch of the Conservative Government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund as Wigton Baths is set to benefit from £23,891.
Swimming is a valuable life skill for people of all ages and is extremely beneficial for people’s mental and physical wellbeing. In addition, Swim England’s latest Value of Swimming report showed that water-based activity, including swimming, helps generate social value of £2.4 billion a year.
The Conservative Government’s investment of £20 million in swimming pools and leisure facilities across England means that 196 leisure centres and swimming pools in 103 local authorities will benefit from boosted funding, supporting over 23 million swims a year.
Locally this means Wigton Baths Trust, who took over the 100+ year old pool in 2015, can continue their ongoing improvements to facilities which have recently included new windows and a new hoist to make the pool more accessible to customers.
Dr Hudson visited the baths to show his support for the redevelopment projects when the community was first securing funding. The team at Wigton Baths are always keen to bring on board volunteers to help support fundraising and promotional events or to become a trustee. To find out more visit www.wigtonbaths.co.uk.
The Swimming Pool Support Fund was first announced at the March Budget. This first £20 million of funding is going to the swimming pools and leisure centres most at risk of closure or significant service reduction, and will be used to help with the recent rise in energy costs, such as paying towards immediate maintenance costs, heating, and pool chemicals.
The Conservative Government is continuing to deliver the long-term health facilities to support opportunities for people to get fit and healthy, helping to cut obesity rates and get millions more people active.
More recently, Dr Hudson visited his constituency's newest swimming venture, Woggle Goggle Swimming Pool and Activity Centre in Penrith where he recognised the benefits of swimming not just for physical and mental health but for teaching a crucial lifesaving skill and the economic boon for an area. Read more here.
Commenting, Dr Neil Hudson said:
“I know how important swimming is for many people across Penrith and The Border – I also know that swimming pools and leisure facilities have struggled over recent months as operating costs have increased. That is why I welcome the Conservative Government’s investment of £23,891 into Wigton Baths as part of £20 million fund for swimming pools and leisure facilities across England.
"Wigton Baths is a great facility, run by a hardworking team of local volunteers who are always looking for more people to bolster their numbers so do consider getting involved.
Sports Minister, Stuart Andrew MP added:
“Leisure centres and pools are vital for millions of people to stay fit and healthy, and we know that many public swimming pools are experiencing greater pressure due to increased operating costs.
“We have heard their concerns and have stepped in to help them make ends meet with £20 million immediate relief, and a further £40 million to help improve sustainability of public swimming pools over the long term.
"This is part of our support for grassroots sports facilities with more than £400 million in order to achieve our ambitious target of getting 3.5 million more people active by 2030.”
