Swimming pool closures put children at risk – but not in Brentwood

Swimming is a great exercise for everyone. However, research shows that around 500 public swimming pools have closed across England since 2010, with nearly half of those in the past five years, limiting opportunities for children to learn to swim.

A report by the Local Government Association, in coalition with partners in the leisure sector, found that 30 per cent of children in Year 7 cannot swim 25 metres confidently, up from 27 per cent in 2017/18.

Cllr Liz Green, Chair of the LGA Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said: "Local communities rely on sport and leisure facilities every day, whether it is swimming for the family or going to the gym. The benefits to both physical and mental health can be life-changing, yet without urgent investment we risk losing these altogether."

Here in Brentwood, we have a different story to tell – and it’s a good one.

In February, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council embarked on a new joint leisure facilities contract with Sports and Leisure Management Ltd, which is known as Everyone Active.

The 15-year contract includes the management of the Brentwood Centre, which provides for the swimming pool.

Although Everyone Active has managed the Brentwood Centre for the last three years, since the insolvency of the previous Leisure Trust, this new joint contract includes much-needed enhancements to the Brentwood Centre.

Lib Dem Cllr Vicky Davies, vice chair of the Housing, Health and Community Committee, welcomed the exciting new start for Brentwood’s leisure services.

The Brentwood Centre will undergo some much-needed structural improvements, transforming it into a first-class centre for both fitness and entertainment, as approved in our budget.

It also received a welcome boost earlier this year when improvements were made for people with mobility issues, to whom getting in and out of the pool can be a challenge.

Brentwood Council installed a Poolpod at the Brentwood Centre swimming pool in the New Year, thanks to successful grant funding obtained by the council, in partnership with Brentwood Access Group.

We also installed a solar panel array on the roof of The Brentwood Centre last year. This green project, funded by the Swimming Pool Support Fund, will enable considerable power generation at the Centre, making it both green and sustainable.

Councillor Barry Aspinell, the Leader of the Council, said: “This upgrade will improve energy use across the facility, further enhancing its sustainability.”

Along with the opening of a new indoor swimming pool at St Peter’s School in South Weald, which was opened by the Mayor earlier this spring, swimming is in good hands under the Liberal Democrats.

The then Mayor, Councillor Mark Haigh, told Councillors: “The importance of being equipped for life with swimming skills cannot be underestimated.”

He added, “Many thousands of children will ultimately benefit from learning the potentially life-saving skill of swimming.”

We are delighted to offer these leisure services to the community, enhancing activity accessibility. Regular physical activity is vital for improving both physical and mental well-being.