Leading figures from across the
aquatic community were joined by industry experts for an innovative Energetics
Webinar which focused on identifying strategies to lessen the impact of rising
energy prices on water-related sports facilities in Europe.
The event, on 13 February, was
devised in response to growing fears of the long-term impact the closure of
further swimming pools will have on populations across the continent.
Many facilities which were forced to
shut as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic were unable to reopen and the rising
cost of energy – as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – has seen further
venue closures throughout Europe.
The webinar, which was hosted by EPSI
(European Platform for Sport Innovation) co-Executive Director Alberto Bichi,
in conjunction with LEN, was opened by European Aquatics President Antonio
Silva, who delivered a stark message.
“LEN believes that the closure of
these facilities has direct consequences on all European population from all
socio-economic strata and of course in aquatic development,” he stated. “That
has become more relevant when each year we see the number of drownings keeps
increasing.”
World Aquatics CEO Brent Nowicki
further endorsed this view in a powerful message.
“World Aquatics are more than just
about elite sport,” he said. “We're not talking about the 1% we're talking
about the 99% who use our pools for means of an essential life skill.
“The residual impact (of losing
further venues) is serious.”
After Mary McMorrow – Swim Ireland
Director of Operations - delved into some of the specific facts and stats
around potential European venue losses, the webinar attendees gained insights
from experts such as EPSI co-executive director Rene Wijlens who has overseen
the creation of sustainable sports facilities throughout continent.
Fluidra marketing manager Juanjo
Gomez discussed new product and technological advancements which could
potentially be utilised to enhance energy-use efficiency and improve heat
retention.
The session also explored potential funding
support opportunities such as the LIFE programme, detailed by EU Funding
Development Engineer Joseph Bin Sun, and REPowerEU, which was expertly
explained by Nathalie Van der Velde.
There were also key speeches from
Pedro Morouço from the Portugese Swimming Federation who explained their
SwimSense project, and Rainer Braun, managing partner of Aquarena, who revealed
energy saving techniques based on experiences with other venues.
Also contributing important
discussion points was Royal Dutch Swimming Federation President Hayke Veldman,
who revealed how his organisation successfully lobbied the government in the
Netherlands and secured funding support.
In summary EPSI co-Executive Director
Alberto Bichi thanked the contributors and highlighted the EU’s Sport
Innovation Summit’ on 30 May as a key date for future discussions, debate and
fact-finding.
In his conclusive remarks LEN
President Silva stated the webinar was just the “first step” in a
“collaborative” journey which will see the consolidation of the learning points
from this initial meeting, before expanding the project concept and lobbying,
in the months ahead.
“We all have a collective obligation
to provide a place for every citizen to learn how to swim,” he said. “The
absence of this practice can lead to the worst tragedies.
“LEN is willing to coordinate and
cooperate with European governments and national federations, in a way to
prevent the closure of pools, either public or private, helping in the
implementation of European financing programs.
President Silva continued; “Thank you
for the organisation of this webinar and the speakers, it was really impressive
the way the ideas as well as solutions were presented thanks to participants
not only European but all over the world.”
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