Plans for a new indoor pool in Peterborough have taken a step forward following the government’s spending review announced today (Wednesday 11 June).
As part of the review, Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP announced a new £240 million fund to ‘expedite’ local projects like the pool and a business case for the scheme will now be drawn up and submitted to government.
Councillor Dennis Jones, Leader of Peterborough City Council, said: "The announcement from our Labour government of its commitment to supporting a new swimming pool for our city as part of a new Sports Quarter is fantastic. It is also proof, yet again, that we are being heard at a national level and there is support for our growing city and the much-needed extra money to back it up.
"My Cabinet and I committed to doing what is necessary to deliver a much needed new pool for the city, and this new £240m fund to expedite local projects like the pool allows us to take a big leap forwards towards it moving from an aspiration to being achievable.
"We will now work with our MPs and our partners on a business case to progress this at pace."
Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes said: “Today’s announcement is a major step towards a new pool for the city and improved leisure facilities in the city centre.
"I have consistently championed a new public pool for the city, working with others, so it is great to see national backing for our plans.
“The announcement is testament to the benefits for Peterborough of working together and I’d like to pay tribute to Peterborough City Council, ARU Peterborough and City of Peterborough Swimming Club for all their work on this in recent months."
Professor Ross Renton, Chief Executive and Principal, ARU Peterborough, added: “We welcome this commitment to a new pool and sports facilities in the heart of Peterborough.
"ARU Peterborough will work closely with our partners to ensure this development brings lasting benefits to the city - enhancing health, wellbeing and sporting opportunities across our communities. The facilities also have the potential to support new courses and research here at the university."
Morgan Stevenson from the City of Peterborough Swimming Club, added: “We are thrilled at today’s announcement in the Government’s spending review, confirming support for a new swimming pool in Peterborough as part of the proposed Sports Quarter development.
“For over a year, the closure of the Regional Pool has significantly impacted not only our club’s training and competition programme, but also the wider community’s access to swimming, a vital life skill and foundation for lifelong health and wellbeing. Despite this challenge, our swimmers, coaches and families have shown extraordinary resilience, travelling to three neighbouring counties to access water time.