Ealing Council has been awarded a £94,000 grant to help support the high operating costs of the Dormers Wells Leisure Centre swimming pool.

The grant will be used to meet the rise in energy costs, maintenance, heating and pool chemicals so residents can continue to use the pool safely.

The council has secured a share of the £60 million of the government's Swimming Pool Support Fund.

Managed by Sport England, the scheme is specifically designed to help councils manage the increased costs of running swimming pools and leisure centres.

Councillor Polly Knewstub, cabinet member for thriving communities, said: "Soaring energy costs have made it increasingly difficult to run the swimming pool at Dormers Wells, and in fact we know that there are swimming pools up and down the country which never really got going again after the pandemic.

"So we are really pleased to be working with Sport England to secure government funding to support this much-loved and well-used sports centre.

"We are going to be expanding and renewing the sporting and community facilities available to Ealing residents in the coming years, as well as looking after and maintaining those facilities which are already well-used."

Dormers Wells Sports Centre in Southall welcomes around 250,000 people each year who enjoy the swimming pool, gym, women-only gym, dance studio and sports hall.

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Sport England's director of place, said: "We know just how vital swimming pools and leisure centres are to our nation's activity levels, which is why Sport England is proud to have played a central role in the delivery of this fund.

"Many pools have faced 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."

Nearly 200 leisure centres and swimming pools in over 100 local authorities in England will be supported by the Swimming Pool Support Fund, helping to keep them open.

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