Government backs new pool for Peterborough

Plans for a new indoor pool in Peterborough took a big step forward today when the Government backed plans in the House of Commons.

Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP announced a new £240 million fund to ‘expedite’ local projects like the pool.

The Government gave its backing to a new pool as part of a Sports Quarter in the city centre around ARU Peterborough. The plans would see a new pool built on or near the current site of the former Regional Pool.

The announcement was made after lobbying by Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes with support from Peterborough City Council, ARU Peterborough and City of Peterborough Swimming Club.

The long-awaited investment follows growing concern locally after the closure of the Regional Pool, with both Peterborough MPs raising the issue directly in Parliament and with the government.

Speaking to Parliament the Chancellor said:

“We will establish a Growth Mission Fund to expedite local projects that are important for growth…like Peterborough’s new sports quarter to dive activity and community cohesion.”

The bid will be at the front of the queue when the application process for the new funds is confirmed in the summer with funding available from the next financial year.

The university and sports quarter are designed to bring long-term benefits across health, education, and regeneration – particularly for communities that have been underserved for too long.

Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes commented:

“Today’s announcement is a major step towards a new pool for the city and improved leisure facilities in the city centre.

I have consistently championed a new public pool for the city, working with others, so it is great to see national backing for our plans.

The announcement is testament to the benefits for Peterborough of working together and I’d like to pay tribute to Peterborough City Council, ARU Peterborough and City of Peterborough Swimming Club for all their work on this in recent months.

For far too long, Peterborough has been let down by the absence of quality public facilities. This investment presents a vital opportunity to finally deliver the high-quality facilities that our growing and ambitious community deserves.

The new pool and leisure centre will support the continued growth of ARU Peterborough, help address pressing issues such as childhood obesity and inactivity and contribute to the regeneration of our city centre.

I now want to bring partners together around the table ready to agree a business case in time for the funding to open over the summer.”

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Morgan Stevenson of COPS added:

“The City of Peterborough Swimming Club (COPS) is thrilled at today’s announcement in the Government’s spending review, confirming support for a new swimming pool in Peterborough as part of the proposed Sports Quarter development.

For over a year, the closure of the Regional Pool has significantly impacted not only our club’s training and competition programme, but also the wider community’s access to swimming, a vital life skill and foundation for lifelong health and wellbeing. Despite this challenge, our swimmers, coaches and families have shown extraordinary resilience, travelling to three neighbouring counties to access water time.

Today’s backing signals real hope for the future. We are proud to have worked alongside Andrew Pakes MP, Peterborough City Council, ARU Peterborough and community partners to champion the urgent need for a modern aquatic facility at the heart of our city. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in the health, ambition, and sporting potential of Peterborough.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration to turn this vision into reality. The time to deliver is now.”

Councillor Dennis Jones, Leader of Peterborough City Council, said:

“The announcement from our Labour government of its commitment to supporting a new swimming pool for our city as part of a new Sports Quarter is fantastic. It is also proof, yet again, that we are being heard at a national level and there is support for our growing city and the much-needed extra money to back it up.

My Cabinet and I are committed to doing what is necessary to deliver a much-needed new pool for the city, and this new £240m fund to expedite local projects like the pool allows us to take a big leap forwards towards it moving from an aspiration to being achievable.

We will now work with our MPs and our partners on a business case to progress this at pace.”

 Sam Carling, MP for North West Cambridgeshire, said:

“Access to a public pool isn’t just about sport – it’s about health, opportunity, and a sense of pride in our city.

This announcement is the result of real persistence across our community, and I’m pleased we’ve secured the backing needed to get this moving.

I know how widely the impact of the closures on families, schools, and groups like the City of Peterborough Swimming Club have been felt – and I’ll keep working to make sure the new facility delivers for all parts of our region.”