Much-needed leisure venues get extra energy costs support

Around £1.5m is to be shared by Freedom Leisure, Wales National Pool Swansea and Swansea Arena management company ATG to help offset soaring energy bills.

The money is coming from the council's £15m energy support fund agreed earlier this year and Cabinet has agreed the move.

Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said the move was in the interests of many thousands of residents whose wellbeing and health depends on access to leisure and recreational facilities for exercise and socialising every week.

He said: "While swimming pools and leisure services elsewhere have been closing due to soaring energy costs, we're playing our part in making sure that doesn't happen to partner-operated council facilities in Swansea.

"Everyone knows that access to leisure, sport and entertainment helps keep us healthy and boosts our mental health. It's especially the case for young children learning to swim, for example, and for older people who treat their local leisure facilities as a place to keep active and catch up with friends.

"The Wales National Pool Swansea is a community facility for swimming and meeting friends as well as a training area for elite athletes. And Swansea Arena speaks for itself when you look at the contribution it makes to the city centre and the local economy with more than 200,000 visits in its first year alone.

"Without our continuing support, vital health and wellbeing opportunities, services and facilities could be at risk of being lost and in turn increase pressure on other local and central government services like social care and the NHS. Keeping them open helps people stay happy, healthy and fit."

Cllr Stewart said thanks to prudent management of council finances the council created a £15m energy support fund to help manage its own energy bills and lend a hand to its leisure partners at a critical time.

Freedom Leisure, WNPS and ATG have already taken their own steps to reduce energy consumption and costs. Further action will be taking place, including plans to install further energy-saving measures in the near future.

Swansea Council owns the LC and leisure centres in Morriston, Bishopston, Penlan, Cefn Hengoed, Penyrheol and Elba Sports Complex. The facilities are managed by the not-for-profit trust Freedom Leisure on the council's behalf. 

Similarly, Swansea Arena is managed for the council by ATG (Ambassador Theatre Group), a theatre management company that enjoys an international reputation.

Wales National Pool Swansea is jointly operated under a partnership between Swansea University and the council.