Rutland County Council's Cabinet has approved a grant of just over £59,000 from the National Leisure Recovery Fund to support the running of Catmose Sports Centre in Oakham.

Responding to the severe impact that COVID-19 restrictions have had on the leisure industry, and specifically leisure centres, Sport England in partnership with Central Government launched a National Leisure Recovery Fund (NLRF) to support providers who are struggling.

In addition to the NLRF grant offer, on Tuesday 15 June Cabinet also approved additional funding of up to £43,000 to support the operators of Catmose Sports Centre, Stevenage Leisure Ltd (SLL), in light of COVID-19 and the continuing closure of Catmose swimming pool.

The Council's leisure management contract with SLL expired on 31 March 2021 and the additional financial support is needed to continue operating the centre beyond August 2021.

The public swimming pool at Catmose Sports Centre remains closed following a condition survey that has raised concerns about the safety of the building. An assessment has shown that making the swimming pool operational would have cost over £500,000.

Coun Alan Walters, Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure, Wellbeing and Adult Care, said: "Providing access to leisure services is important for health and wellbeing, which is why Cabinet has approved this short-term investment to support Catmose Sports Centre and its operators, SLL.

"The Council has been working with a specialist consultant to consider future options for leisure in Rutland, to help inform our decision-making for the future."