Freedom Leisure triumphs, securing ‘Learn to Swim Provider’ and ‘Sustainability Award’ in Cardiff, Wales.
Swim Wales organized these awards to recognize aquatic passion and achievements. Swim Wales, the governing body for swimming in Wales, honors dedication from groups and individuals.
Freedom Leisure runs leisure centers for councils in Powys, Swansea, and Wrexham, including places like Waterworld. Over 12,000 swimmers participate in the Swim Wales program, with instructors teaching swimming to kids and adults.
Freedom Leisure’s CEO, Ivan Horsfall Turner, expressed his pride and thanked his colleagues for their work. They deliver excellent swimming lessons weekly at all their pools in Wales.
With over 800,000 visits to pools annually and more than 12,000 people in their swim program, a strong Swim Wales partnership helps. It gives a fantastic experience for everyone, helping them gain confidence and a vital life skill. Swimming becomes safe and fun, especially near the coast.
The Sustainability award is important because Freedom Leisure has set a new standard. They invested in energy efficiency measures and became Carbon Literate as an organization.
Angela Brown leads sustainability efforts, emphasizing that council involvement made it happen. These are Powys, Wrexham, and Swansea councils.
Over £1,000,000 went to projects in 2024. Funding applications made this possible, thanks to good council relationships and their own investments.
Angela says this shows their commitment and proactive approach to lowering carbon emissions. She thanks the councils for their support.
Focusing on sustainability helps everyone by significantly reducing carbon emissions. This creates ongoing operational savings too. The money can then support community projects and improve facilities, ensuring growth.
Cllr Beverley Parry-Jones congratulated the team, emphasizing that the awards mean a lot for Wrexham. It demonstrates their dedication, hard work, and the facility’s high quality.