Grant secures 'short-term future' of Belper Leisure Centre

Amber Valley Borough Council successfully applied for a Sports England grant

The "short-term" future of a leisure centre in Derbyshire has been secured by a grant of £180,000.

Belper Leisure Centre was at risk of closure in June due to rising energy costs.

Not-for-profit company Trilogy Active then took over running the centre.

Amber Valley Borough Council pledged £150,000 to keep the centre running and applied for a £180,000 grant from Sport England's pool support fund, which has now been granted.

The centre will now be managed by not-for-profit Trilogy Active

The pool support fund, announced in the chancellor's Spring Budget, was made available for local authorities to support facilities with swimming pools.

John Fletcher, managing director of Trilogy Active, said: "This is very positive news indeed for Belper Leisure Centre and the community of Belper.

"The decision by Sport England not only secures the short-term future of the site, it enables us to fast-track positive change, investment and development at the centre."

Amber Valley Borough Council said it would apply for up to £1m from the second phase of the SPSF programme.

Campaigners had called for the site to stay open

If the bid is successful, the funding will be shared equally by the borough's four leisure centres - including those in Heanor, Alfreton and Ripley.

It could mean that the site in Belper would receive a further £250,000.

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, director of place at Sports England, said: "Many pools have face 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.

"Today's announcement is an important moment in time, but 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."