Watch as Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces £20 million Budget boost for Peterborough's £36 million indoor swimming pool
Plans to build a new £36 million indoor swimming pool in Peterborough have been given a £20 million boost in today’s Budget.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the funding decision for Peterborough’s 25 metres, eight lane swimming pool, as she delivered her Budget today (November 26) to a packed House of Commons.
She said the money for the indoor pool and sports centre would come from the £2490 million Growth Mission Fund that was first announced in the summer.
The £20 million boost will meet most of the costs of the project, which is earmarked for the former Regional Pool site off Bishop’s Road.
It will leave the city’s consortium, which includes Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Peterborough City Council, ARU Peterborough, City of Peterborough Swimming Club, Friends of the Lido and Living Sport, which is driving the project, to find the remaining cash.
The announcement by Rachel Reeves follows Peterborough City Council’s Cabinet decision last month for a new eight lane 25 metre swimming pool and fitness centre to be progressed as their preferred option, subject to funding being secured.
Council leader Councillor Shabina Qayyum, said: “This significant investment means we are much closer to pulling together the funding that we need to deliver a new swimming pool for our residents.
"A new swimming pool will benefit residents of all ages and generations to come, supporting our younger residents to learn how to swim and will promote health and wellbeing for residents of all ages."
Morgan Stevenson, Co-Chair of the City of Peterborough Swimming Club, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled by this.
"After two years without a permanent pool, we thank the Government for their support, this investment is a vital step towards bringing swimming back to the heart of Peterborough.
"It’s fantastic for our swimmers, families, and the wider community.”
He added: “This £20 million commitment gets us halfway there, enough to start and build momentum, but we still need the remaining funding to ensure the new facility opens as early as possible. The city deserves a pool it can be proud of, and we’re determined to help make that happen.”