Investment to improve water quality at popular leisure centre

Fenton Manor Sports Complex is set to receive extra investment thanks to £475,254 of Government funding.

Today it has been announced that Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been successful in securing funding from Phase II (Capital) of the Government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF).

This funding will allow for a new micro-filtration system to be installed in the centre’s 33 metre swimming pool to help improve costs and water quality.

Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Fenton Manor first opened in 1976 and to this today still provides one the widest range of sport and leisure activities available in North Staffordshire. Our swimming pool is vastly used by people of all ages so by receiving this funding we can now invest in a new system that will enable better water quality and reduce our environmental footprint.”

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, Executive Director – Place at Sport England 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.”