MALDEN CENTRE. £70,000Kingston and SurbitonHeat recovery to air handling unitsThermostatic radiator valve
Helen Edward welcomes £70k investment for Malden Centre from the Conservative Government. She said
"I'm in Kingston Hospital A&E every week volunteering and see the importance of health and fitness as a preventative measure for our elderly and our families. Since the tragic Kingfisher Leisure Centre closure in 2019, which will not reopen until 2027, we are more dependent than ever on the The Malden Centre. The Malden Centre is the only pool in the Borough providing for over 2000 children and keeping our borough fit and healthy and out of A&E."
"When I met Marie O'Loughlin, Contract Manager for The Malden Centre and Kingston Places Leisure this week, she was brimming with enthusiasm for what the team had achieved turning around the customer service focus of the centre to provide a 'can do' vibe that encourages membership and engagement as well as community outreach and partnership with Kingston Hospital to offer rehab and cancer patient support as well as support for menopause and various health groups.
" As a little girl, born in Chessington and growing up in Bookham, I remember our family went to the local Leatherhead swimming pool every weekend and it was a focal part of our family leisure time. A pool is a chance for children to learn how to swim, enjoy sport, play and socialise and bond with their family. A swimming pool is a hugely important part of family life and for the whole community.
“That is why I am delighted that The Malden Centre has received £70k investment from this Conservative Government, improving the pools energy efficiency, keeping running costs down and giving more people the opportunity to swim whilst reducing our environmental impact.
"Marie the New Malden Centre Manager told me her story of dedication as Covid Lockdown struck and how she managed the pool every day to make sure that the pool's expensive filtering and management systems were not compromised and broken so it's a relief to hear that there is investment coming to manage the efficiency of these systems - a reward for all her hard work during those terrible months of uncertainty followed by high energy bills caused by Russia's illegal war in Ukraine and our diversion from cheaper Russian gas and energy."
Helen added,
"The closure of the Kingston Kingfisher Swimming Pool is an appalling failure by this Lib Dem council which had just a £5m roof investment to approve for the longevity of the Leisure Centre but without consultation and despite a local petition of 4000 signatures opposing, without robust quotations and budgeting or a plan, the council in their poor judgement, decided to demolish the entire building. The Lib Dem council were warned by multiple voices but residents will wait more that 8 real childhood years, a missed childhood generation of swimming life skills before our children will learn to swim again. A child that cannot swim will be at risk all their life. Living on the banks of the River Thames that is an institutional safeguarding risk by this RBK Lib Dem council. "
Swimming is an accessible and fun way for people to benefit from the positive physical and mental health effects that come from exercise. That is why the Conservative Government is investing over £60million in 325 swimming pools across the country, making swimming more accessible, allowing more people to make the most of the positive health benefits associated with exercise. The Conservative Government is sticking to the plan to get 3.5 million people active by 2030, delivering on the plan to improve people’s health and create a brighter future. Helen has welcomed the news that The Malden Centre in Kingston and Surbiton will benefit from a £70k investment to improve its energy efficiency.
The funding is part of the Swimming Pool Support Fund which has invested £80 million into 442 swimming pools across the country since last year. The investment will fund energy efficiency measures at The Malden Centre in heat recovery to air handling units and thermostatic radiator valve, relieving financial pressure by reducing running costs.
Under the new sports strategy, the Conservative Government is aiming to get 3.5 million more people active by 2030, meeting the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance of 150 minutes per week of exercise for adults and 60 minutes per day for young people. Alongside the Swimming Pool Support Fund, this Conservative Government is investing over £300 million in grassroots sports facilities including football pitches and tennis courts, sticking to theplan to get more people active,improving people’s health to ensure a brighter future for all.
Commenting, Helen Edward said:“The Malden Centre in Kingston Borough is a brilliant facility, allowing people of all ages and abilities to access the mental and physical benefits that come with exercise.
“By sticking to the plan, this Conservative Government has been able to invest in swimming pools across the country, improving people’s health to create a brighter future for all.” Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said: “We are sticking to our plan to get millions more people active by 2030, because we know that active people are fitter, happier and healthier.“Millions of people swim every year in England, but increased energy costs mean some pools are struggling financially.“This further £60 million of support from the Government and Sport England will ensure hundreds of swimming pools can lower their operating costs in the long run, and continue to provide an important service for communities across the country."
