Bath MP Wera Hobhouse and Lib Dem councillor Dine Romero have backed a campaign calling for a £1billion investment in public leisure facilities.
The campaign is urging the Government to commit to refurbishing existing pools as well as build new ones to meet future needs.
A report, named ‘A Decade of Decline: The Future of Swimming Pools in England’, from Swim England has warned that there will be a huge reduction in the number of swimming pools available by 2030.
It predicts that if closures continue at the current trend, the number of available pools in England will fall by 40% by the end of the decade – down from the current 4,336 to around 2,468.
Across the UK, 23% of local authorities have a shortage of at least one swimming pool. In the South West, by 2030, 73% of local authorities could have a shortage of at least one swimming pool, with the South West 61 pools short.
The report also found that every £1 spent on community sport and physical activity generates almost £4 for those living in England.
The 22m swimming pool at Culverhay leisure centre in Bath is yet to reopen.
The site offers dry facilities, but the swimming pool remains closed as the boilers have become increasingly more expensive to operate due to age.
Bath MP Wera Hobhouse, who is also vice-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Swimming, said: “From complete beginners to Olympic and Paralympic athletes, our swimming pools in Bath are a place for everyone in our community. Yet Swim England’s report is deeply worrying.
“Swimming pools are the hubs of the local community and help so many live happier and healthier lives. As we recover from the coronavirus pandemic, we need to enable a good level of facilities for the people of Bath.
“I’m proud to support Swim England’s call for a £1bn investment into public leisure facilities so that present and future generations can enjoy swimming.”
Cllr Dine Romero, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Communities and Culture commented: “Our leisure and sports facilities are so important to our local communities for physical and mental health.
“These are essential for all communities, and the least well off should have access to as good facilities as everyone else.
“I’m incredibly pleased to add my name to Swim England’s calls for government funding and I hope that we can rejuvenate our city’s and the surrounding areas’ leisure facilities and inspire the next generation of Bath and North East Somerset athletes.”
