Swimming Pool Re-Launch After Extensive Refurbishment

BMAT Education have invested £200,000 to ensure young people in Harlow have access to a vital life skill.

With data collected from Sport England revealing almost 400 swimming pools have closed in England since 2010, BMAT is bucking the trend.

The Trust – which is responsible for primary and secondary schools in Harlow, Epping and Stansted in Essex and Newham in London – has revamped the swimming facilities at Freshwaters Primary Academy in Harlow.

As with many, the pool was closed in line with Government guidance during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With ageing mechanical equipment, a leaking liner and concrete pool-side flooring, it was decided to take the opportunity to overhaul the facility.

Planning began in 2021, with £200,000 School Condition Allocation – Government funding schools receive for repairs and improvements – spent on modern, energy-efficient mechanical equipment, a new pool liner, a new pool cover to retain heat and enhance safety, new changing rooms and non-slip flooring.

Now, Year 6 pupils from BMAT primary schools are receiving weekly swimming lessons at the pool with partner swim school Comfort Aquatics.

David Hull, Your Community Sports & Leisure (trading arm of BMAT Education) manager, said: “We are very excited to be working with Comfort Aquatics to ensure children learn this critical life skill and enjoy water activities.

“As pools around the country are closing, we are ensuring the next generation of Harlow children have this facility at their disposal seven days a week.”

Comfort Aquatics is also hiring the pool to host out of school hours swimming tuition to young people from in and around the area.

Members of the public looking for out of school time swimming lessons can visit https://www.comfortaquatics.co.uk/locations