There’s good news for Bedford’s pool users as the Government and Sports England have announced a £242,800 grant for Kempston as part of their Swimming Pool Support Fund for Kempston Pool.
The almost-quarter-of-a-million-pound funding will provide rooftop solar panels as well as improved metering and controls, giving long-term cost and energy efficiency savings.
This will enable the site to become 36% self-sufficient from the grid, providing the council with the opportunity to invest in further energy efficiency technology and potentially battery storage to further decarbonise the site.
Administered by Sport England, the government fund provides a total of £80 million to local authorities in England as a support package for public leisure facilities with swimming pools.
In additional good news, the portfolio holder for leisure and culture, Cllr Sarah Gallagher (Conservative, Shortstown), has confirmed that Oasis Beach Pool will shortly reopen following essential maintenance works.
She said: “We are excited by the progress that is being made there and will soon be able to announce the date for its reopening.”
She said the funding for Kempston Pool demonstrates the Borough’s commitment to providing a leisure offer, “we can all be proud of”.
“We are thrilled to have received this funding for Kempston Pool,” said Cllr Gallagher.
“The swimming pool is a well-used, loved, community asset. We recognise what a valued local community resource this pool is and how important swimming pools are in helping our residents to be physically active.
“I am sure that our residents have already noticed an improvement at all our Leisure sites as we are working closely with our new leisure provider – Greenwich Leisure Limited, to improve all our sites.”
You can find out more about all the sites at www.better.org.uk.
