Greystoke & District Sports Association

Greystoke & District Sports Association operates an open-air heated swimming pool, two children's play areas and a recreational football field.  We're situated in the heart of the picturesque village of Greystoke, in north Cumbria.  The facilities are managed by a voluntary committee of Trustees, alongside an army of volunteers from our thriving community.

Future:

We have a vision to keep our unique community-led facilities operating for the next 50 years with our Future Pool project.   The current swimming pool is at the end of its life; the concrete that it is built from is failing and there are leaks to patch up each year, energy bills are high and the layout is a barrier for those with poor mobility or small children.  Our aim is to create a sustainable swimming pool fit for all members of our community and visitors, for the next generation by

- installing renewable energy

- reduce carbon & water usage with a leak-proof pool

- improve accessibility

- act more sustainably to look after nature on our land

- research the feasibility of a community energy network

The swimming pool is a hive of activity from May to September each year, with locals and visitors alike and we have over 100 members joining us annually who regularly swim to improve their physical & mental fitness and connect socially.  We train and employ local young people as lifeguards - a key step for them into the world of employment.

Alongside afternoon public swimming sessions, we host a swimming gala between local primary schools, AquaFit classes, swimming lessons, private parties, floating sound baths and a GoTri event.

A small cafe is open daily when the pool is open serving hot & cold drinks and a selection of snacks. During winter months we have a weekly Monday community cafe serving homemade soups at lunchtimes, and the cafe opens on Saturday afternoons when Greystoke Football Club play their home matches for a warming coffee and a chat. 

Fundraising:

Due to the unpredictable Cumbrian weather the swimming pool income doesn't always match its expenditure, despite the warmth of the pool water.   Therefore the committee and volunteers organise a range of events to help raise funds for the pool and playground facilities.  These include a monthly prize draw, a gig night, wine-tasting evening, film nights and a beer festival.  These all continue to have a significantly positive impact on our finances and the social fabric of our wonderful community.

Over the past few years, to kick start the Future Pools project we have successfully gained grant funding from the following:

• SP Electricity North West Ltd
• Community Energy Fund, Northwest Hub     
• National Lottery (Environment) - for a new air source heat pump and solar panels
• Westmorland & Furness Council - for a new air source heat pump in 2025

These grants have helped us to fund and complete Feasibility Studies and achieve planning consent from Westmorland & Furness Council.  We just need to raise the capital costs now to complete the project of rebuilding our pool with improved energy sustainability and accessibility as planned.

Brief History:

The swimming pool first opened in May 1973, after 10 years of fundraising and hard work by the local community, to ensure a safe swimming place for young people in the area.  Since then, the changing room buildings which are shared with the local football team have been rebuilt, air source heat pumps installed in 1982 then upgraded in 2013 and 2025 and a new visitor cafe introduced in 2020.