Shaftesbury Leisure delighted with cheque

On Friday, 13 January, Robert Walter MP (North Dorset) presented an 'Inspired Facilities' award cheque to Shaftesbury Leisure Limited, which will fund much-needed improvements to Shaftesbury Leisure Pool and create an Olympic Legacy in North Dorset.

Bob was delighted to have been asked to present the cheque for £39,600 to local businessman and Chairman of Shaftesbury Leisure Limited, David Shepherd. Also there to congratulate the Shaftesbury Leisure Pool team were Sport England representative, Jim Barrett, Mayor of Shaftesbury, Tim Cook, Shaftesbury & District Task Force representative, Louise Plumridge and Directors Fred Harvey and Richard Steen.
 
Not-for-profit local community organisation, Shaftesbury Leisure Limited, was successful in its bid for funding in the first round of the Inspired Facilities awards, part of a larger £135million legacy being delivered by Sport England, on behalf of the government through the Places People Play programme.
 
This award will support a project to replace the roof at Shaftesbury Leisure Pool, which is in a very poor state of repair. This work is vital and, if completed, will have the added bonus of allowing this local pool to stay open for 6 months a year, as opposed to just over the summer holidays. The funding will also see the replacement of diving blocks, thus expanding the appeal of the pool.

Bob Walter said, “It’s fantastic that Shaftesbury’s Leisure Pool is receiving such a significant investment from the Olympic and Paralympic legacy fund. The award seems particularly fitting now that we know the Olympic Torch will be coming to Shaftesbury on 12 July as part of its journey through North Dorset." 

“One of the key reasons for the success of the UK’s bid to host this year’s Olympic Games was its focus on the creation of a genuine legacy that will see more people getting involved in sport and boosting health and fitness. This award of nearly £40,000 to improve the indoor pool will certainly help Shaftesbury Leisure Limited to achieve this.”

The Places People Play programme is the UK’s Olympic and Paralympic legacy fund, which aims to bring the inspiration of the 2012 London Olympic Games to every community in England.