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Created: 15 May 2024

A huge £550,000 is poised to be spent on one of Erewash’s swimming pools thanks to the borough council battling for money to make it more eco-friendly.

The boost was clinched from what is known as the Swimming Pool Support Fund – and will go towards planned solar panels and triple-glazing at the Victoria Park Leisure Centre in Ilkeston.

Showers are expected to be made more efficient – and there will be new pool covers.

Erewash council also tried to get money for Long Eaton’s West Park Leisure Centre but was unsuccessful. The Swimming Pool Support Fund is administered by Sport England, which has a £60million pot of cash for eco improvements. Two thirds is coming from the government. The rest is Lottery funding.

The improvements at Ilkeston pool will be challenging owing to tight delivery timescales. The work will be carried out in partnership with Parkwood Leisure, whose Legacy Leisure arm has a contract to run leisure centres in the borough. Erewash Borough Council Leader James Dawson said:

“This is fantastic news. Improving energy efficiency measures at one of the borough’s public leisure facilities demonstrates the council’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. It will also ensure the centre continues to be a welcoming environment for customers.”

Parkwood Leisure’s regional director Francois Smit said: “We are delighted to have worked with the council in the bid for the Swimming Pool Support Fund grant and look forward to working in partnership to introduce a range of energy efficient measures at Victoria Park Leisure Centre.”