Residents in the Frinton and Walton area will benefit from a new Government cash handout of £232,000 announced today.

The money is being given to Tendring District Council (TDC) towards its £1million project to upgrade facilities at Frinton and Walton Swimming Pool.

The Council bid for the funding under the Government's Free Swimming Programme - and has now been told that it has been successful.

TDC was previously granted more than £180,000 to provide free swimming sessions at its pools for those aged 60 and over as well as those 16 and under from the same initiative.

The free swimming sessions start April 1 and continue for the next two years. The sessions are also being backed by North East Essex NHS.

Pierre Oxley, Portfolio Holder for Leisure at TDC, said the extra cash for the pool site is fantastic news.

"We had already done very well under the free swimming programme and now this is another £232,000 towards our plans for the Frinton and Walton Pool," he said.

"These include an extension for a fitness suite, dryside changing rooms and toilets and wetside changing rooms.

Proposals as part of the scheme have been on display at the site and consultations are being carried out with customers and user groups.

Council officers will now be looking at the terms and conditions of the grant - which will come from Sport England - and will be subject to approval.

It is hoped that work on the project will get under way early in 2010.

"This will make a huge difference to the standard of facilities at the Frinton and Walton site and we are also looking to enhance other sites in Harwich and Dovercourt," added Cllr Oxley.

"The aim is to provide facilities which will encourage and help our people to lead much healthier and more active lifestyles."

Swimming is the most popular sport in the country with Sport England's Active People Survey (2007/08) revealing that 3.2million people - 1 in 14 of the adult population swim for at least 30 minutes each week.

TDC was only able to bid for the £232,000 of capital funding because it had applied for money to provide free swimming for both those 60 and over and those 16 and under.
In all £50 million is being made available across the country between 2009/11 to modernise pool provision.

A total of 54 projects, costing £19.2million, were announced today.

Anyone from the age groups of 16 and under and 60 and over wanting to make use of the free swimming during public sessions can find out more on the free swimming page or by picking up a form from one of the Council's leisure centres.

They will need a valid ONE card to take part and these are also available free of charge.

31/3/09