PCC Wellbeing Champion shares concern for county’s swimming pools’ and leisure centres’ future viability
PCC Wellbeing Champion shares concern for county’s swimming pools’ and leisure centres’ future viability
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Pembrokeshire County Council’s Wellbeing Champion and Welsh Conservative Group Councillor Rhys Jordan has shared concerns about the future viability of the council’s swimming pools and leisure centres amid rising energy costs.
It comes as figures collated by the trade body UK Active show that in the past year, 29 leisure centres, pools or gyms have closed temporarily or permanently because of rising energy prices.
Additionally, more than 300 others have mitigated against higher bills, including by reducing their hours, increasing their fees or lowering pool temperatures.
Councillor Jordan said that “keeping our counties leisure’s centres open is vitally important for not only the physical well-being of the people of Pembrokeshire, but their mental wellbeing also”
In a recent release to the BBC, a government spokesperson said in response to the situation it was providing businesses and non-domestic energy users "an unprecedented £18bn package of support this winter."
The spokesperson added: "On top of this, we have pledged to continue energy support from April onwards through our Energy Bills Discount Scheme.”
Councillor Jordan - County Councillor for St Mary Out Liberty and St Florence - pressed councillor officers for a response for this matter and Dr Steven Jones, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Director of Community Services said “I can confirm there are no plans to close council run swimming pools this winter.”
Councillor Jordan said that “as energy costs continue to rise, it’s now vitally important that our leisure centres are run efficiently, focussing on encouraging new members to join whilst ensuring we continue to raise standards for existing members. Thus achieving our goals of keeping Pembrokeshire’s residents more active, more often”