Olympic stars dive into the fight to save the nation’s swimming pools

www.pool-watch.co.uk has been set up to provide a potential lifeline for local communities fighting to keep their local swimming pools afloat.

Swimming is the UK’s biggest participation sport, and more than 3 million people swim once a week. Nevertheless, 63 UK public sector swimming pools closed in 2009, while only 28 pools opened. There was also a 27% decrease in the number of school pools between 2002 and 2009.

 “I strongly believe that we need to help communities fight to keep their local pools open, otherwise swimming will stop being an activity that’s accessible to all," said Olympic Breaststroke Champion Duncan Goodhew

“If people get together and take a stand they can become a powerful force in the battle to save their swimming facilities, and pool-watch.co.uk is there to help them build the strongest case possible.”

Ageing pools

Local authority and school pools usually provide the greatest level of access for children, swimming clubs and families on low and medium incomes. However 51% of these pools are over 30 years old and many are coming to the end of their lifespan. Though new facilities have been built over recent decades, only 28% of pools built since 1990 are local authority owned, compared with the 81% owned by the commercial sector.

Double Olympic champion, Adlington said: “Training in local swimming pools has helped me win two Olympic gold medals and I strongly feel that it’s important to have as many pools as possible for everyone to use.

“As well as being great for health and fitness, swimming can save your life. I hope pool-watch.co.uk can help communities keep more pools open, so millions of people can continue to enjoy this fantastic activity.”

People power 

People power has already helped save facilities such as, Beccles Lido, in Suffolk. The outdoor pool was reopened after a community run company agreed to take over control of the facility from the local council.

The local community raised £40,000 in funds and, with an additional British Gas Green Streets programme grant, installed energy efficient technologies to lower the future running costs of the pool.

As sponsor of British Swimming, British Gas is often approached by individuals or communities requesting advice on how to save their pool.

British Gas brand director, Andrew Hogan said: “Pool Watch aims to provide help to those who need support and practical information such as where to go for funding or how to create a business plan. It also features case studies from successful save our pool campaigns.

“With the growing success of our British team increasing the popularity of swimming; it’s important we continue to ensure people have access to swimming pools in local areas.”

“Local people are often passionate about keeping their local pool open but sometimes there are good reasons for closing pools.

What we want to do is support people where improving the service, or making a case for saving a facility from closure, is the best way to meet the community’s needs," the ASA’s Head of Facilities, Kate McKnight.  

“This website uses ours and British Gas’s expertise to hopefully help them do that but also to offer advice on how to ensure pools offer programmes that drive people back into the water – making them less at risk of closure.”

More quick facts about http://www.pool-watch.co.uk/ 

• Pool Watch has been created by British Gas and the ASA to help campaign groups, by providing a clear and understandable resource with all of the tools and information they need to campaign to save their pools. British Gas and the ASA do not provide direct funding for campaign groups or pools that are under threat.
• Users are taken through a five step journey divided into: building your case, making your views known, planning and consultation, transferring assets and keeping your pool open during the campaign process.
• Campaigners can download information sheets from each of the five sections covering topics such as where to go for funding, influencing the right people, creating a business plan and carrying out a pool condition survey.
• Campaigners need to show there is a clear need for their facility and that their pool best meets the community’s needs.