ILFRACOMBE Pool and Fitness Centre has received £88,000 of funding from Sport England for energy efficiency improvements.

The pool has been granted £88,347 from Sport England's Swimming Pool Support Fund for solar panels and LED lighting. 

North Devon Council is one of 264 local authorities to receive a share of the £60million fund, which has been set up to help deliver energy efficiency improvements to public facilities with pools. 

Parkwood Leisure manage and operate the facilities at Ilfracombe Pool and Fitness Centre on behalf of the council.

Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor Ian Roome, says: "We are delighted that Ilfracombe Pool and Fitness Centre will benefit from Sport England's Swimming Pool Support Fund and allow us to make vital energy efficiency improvements. These upgrades will allow us to improve the sustainability of the pool, giving the local community a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective place for people to stay active and healthy."

Managing Director of Parkwood Leisure Ltd, Glen Hall, says: “As a long-term partner of North Devon Council, we are pleased to have worked with them in supporting this application with the technical aspects of the bid. We look forward to delivering the project on behalf of the council with the installation and commissioning of this project over the coming year for the benefit of all parties.”

Executive Director of Place at Sport England, Lisa Dodd-Mayne, says: “Swimming pools and leisure centres are vital community resources and are enormously important in helping people to be physically active.

“Many pools have faced a real and significant threat to their survival this year, as local authorities and operators have battled the challenge of increased energy and wider costs, weakened reserves and difficulties with retaining staff.

"Sport England is proud of the role we’ve played in supporting these facilities through this difficult period.  We hope today’s funding announcement will enable more public pools to improve their energy efficiency to be more environmentally and financially sustainable, so they remain available for future generations to enjoy.”

The Swimming Pool Support Fund has seen £20m provided by Sport England via the National Lottery and just over £40m provided by the Government as part of their commitment to support the long-term sustainability of public leisure.

For more information about Ilfracombe Pool and Fitness Centre, visit the centre's website.