Almost 2,000 swimming pools in England could be lost by the end of the decade without urgent Government and local authority action, a new report has warned.
Swim England says pools built in the 1960s and 1970s are coming towards the end of their lifespan and are not being refurbished or replaced at a suitable rate, putting into question whether sufficient quality facilities will be available to both competitive and recreational swimmers in the decades to come.
Team GB enjoyed great success in the pool in Tokyo in the summer, securing a best-ever tally of eight medals made up of four golds, three silvers and one bronze.
"Alongside high running costs and financial constraints exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a real risk that we will lose these vital community assets. Capital investment for councils to redesign, upgrade and renovate facilities is urgently needed in the upcoming Spending Review to protect them and deliver on net zero targets."
A spokesman for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) responded to the report by stating: "We have been clear that the nation's health and fitness is a priority as we build back better from the pandemic.
"We have provided an unprecedented £1billion to ensure the survival of the grassroots, professional sport and leisure sectors. This includes our £100million National Leisure Centre Recovery Fund which has secured the survival and reopening of more than 1100 swimming pools across the country.
"On top of this Sport England has provided over £8.5million to swimming and diving projects, and over £16million to Swim England since 2017."
