Fusion Lifestyle prepares for the Big Swim Day - are you getting involved?

Fusion Lifestyle, who runs sports centres across the South Hams, is inviting the whole community to join them for Big Swim Day.

Fusion Lifestyle invites the whole community in the South Hams to "demonstrate their support for community swimming" by joining them for Big Swim Day at Dartmouth, Ivybridge, Totnes or Quayside Leisure Centres or Dartmouth Indoor Pools in South Hams.

The event, on 24 February, aims to demonstrate the level of local public support for swimming pools and other public leisure and cultural facilities, at a time of unprecedented pressure.

A spokesperson for Fusion Lifestyle said: "The recent Government decision to massively scale back financial support for pools to cover their energy costs have placed many of them at risk of closure, as costs have spiralled out of control. Swimming pools are particularly dependent on energy use, both in maintaining the ambient temperature in the facility and in heating the pool water to the right temperature for leisure use.

"The rise in energy costs has come on top of financial challenges arising out of closure during the period of the COVID pandemic, as well as continuing public expenditure constraints over many years."

Anthony Cawley, CEO at Fusion Lifestyle, commented: “Big Swim Day is the ideal opportunity for local people to show support for local community pools, facing unprecedented financial challenges, and while doing so to have a great time and build mental health and physical wellbeing.

“There’s no need to make special arrangements - just come along on the day!”

“We hope that our regular swimmers will make an additional visit on that Friday, and members of the community who have not been for a while but know the important part public leisure plays in the life of the community, will make a special visit.

"Have a swim, bring your friends and family, and share your support for the day on social media using #bigswimday and #saveourpools.

“Let’s all pull together, make a diary date to join us at your local pool on Big Swim Day!”