Four Somerset swimming pools will soon become cheaper to run thanks to central government funding.

The swimming pool support fund was set up by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to provide funding for energy efficiency improvements such as solar panels and air source heat pumps, helping to secure the long-term future of facilities across the UK.

Work is currently ongoing on a separate decarbonisation scheme at Wellington Sports Centre after grant funding was announced in February 2023.

A total of £316,700 has been awarded to projects in Somerset in the second round of this fund, with the money being distributed through Sport England and the National Lottery.

Somerset Council has now confirmed which facilities will be benefiting from this round of funding – two of which has already received government support in the last year,

Frome Leisure Centre and Wells Leisure Centre (both run by Fusion Lifestyle) will now get new swimming pool covers and solar panels installed on their roofs.

Chard Leisure Centre and Goldenstones Leisure Centre in Yeovil, both run by Freedom Leisure, will have de-stratification fans installed.

De-stratification fans circulate warm air which has built up near the ceiling back down to ground level, reducing the need for additional heating of the pool halls.

The council was previously awarded £211,208 in the first round of funding in November 2023, which supported five Somerset swimming pools with the increase in chemical and utilities costs.

This funding was divided between Brean Splash,  Burnham-on-Sea Swim and Sports Academy, Frome Leisure Centre, Shepton Mallet Lido and Wells Leisure Centre.