A major drain on finances when operating a swimming-pool is the cost of heating the water, in our case by gas-fired boilers. A daily headline news item is the rapid increase in the cost of gas, so it is imperative that we reduce our consumption to lower our financial outlay, to ensure the future security of swimming in Chester, and to reduce our impact on climate change. The easiest way to do this is to fit a professionally-designed pool cover that can be easily and quickly put in position when no-one is actually using the pool. This project seeks to provide sufficient funds to purchase such a pool-cover, and make a significant long-term contribution towards a reduction in harmful gasses caused by our gas-fired boilers.

What we'll deliver:

• This project will purchase a pool-cover for the Atlantic Pool.
• Warmer water for our swimmers.
• A more secure future for Chester City Baths.

Why it's a great idea:

Chester Swimming Association is the charity determined to keep swimming alive and well at Chester City Baths, a Grade Two building in the centre of Chester. Following the lockdowns, we are rapidly re-building our 'Learn-to-Swim' program for children, our sub-aqua club recently won a trophy for the best diving-club in the UK, we have successful water-polo and triathlon clubs, along with swimming sessions and lessons for all ages, both competitive and for leisure. The cost of our gas-fired heating urgently needs to be reduced, something that can easily be done by fitting a pool-cover. This will also reduce our impact on climate change, promote our membership and therefore increase the number of staff required, support the clubs that use our facility, provide a long-term future for our building, and provide warmer water in our pool, an essential part of teaching that essential skill to children - the ability to swim.

Steps to get it done:

• Obtain quotes
• Install pool-cover.

The recent Olympic Games in Tokyo showed just how well the sport of swimming features in the UK, both for fully-able swimmers and those with disabilities. Today's report by Swim England suggests that the number of swimming-pools will reduce over the next decade, but we believe that with a little help, Chester City Baths has a part to play in producing our athletes of the future. We believe that installing a pool-cover is essential to that future.