Leisure centre gets funding to combat rising costs

Summerfields Leisure Centre in Hastings has received £98,475 in funding

A leisure centre in East Sussex has received almost £100,000 in funding to help combat the rising costs of utility bills.

Summerfields Leisure Centre in Hastings has a gym, swimming facilities and a café.

Hastings Borough Council secured the funding through Sports England Swimming Pool Support Fund.

A council spokesperson said there were “ever-increasing costs”, with many sites at risk of closure.

Councillor Andy Batsford said: “Summerfields' swimming pool is a much-loved community facility and provides an important place for people in Hastings of all ages to socialise and keep fit.

“For it to remain open for use is excellent news for our town's health and wellbeing."

The council said it would use the £98,475 grant to combat the costs of utility bills and swimming pool chemicals.

'Energy crisis'

The council said it had also applied for capital funding from Sports England to introduce environmental measures, including rooftop solar.

Summerfields Leisure Centre is managed by Freedom Leisure, in partnership with the council.

Toby Reed, Freedom Leisure area manager, said: “As a result of the energy crisis, we as an organisation have seen our energy bills more than double, and although this additional funding will help, it remains a challenge to maintain swimming pools across the UK.

“We would encourage as many residents as possible to continue to use and support their local community swimming pools."

More than 100 local authorities have received a share of a £20m fund to keep swimming pools and leisure centres open in response to increased operating costs.