A coalition of almost 200 sports governing bodies, health organisations and top athletes has today written to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, warning of the "final straw for many gyms, pools and clubs because of the ongoing energy crisis".
It is making an urgent plea for the government to "think again and provide the necessary support to the sport, recreation and physical activity sector".
Westminster is scaling back its energy support scheme from April, with the leisure sector losing out. While libraries, museums and galleries will be eligible for extra help, pools and leisure centres will not be protected.
The coalition says this will lead to "an escalation of service reductions and closures at swimming pools, gyms, leisure centres, community facilities and clubs across the UK", and "represents a cliff edge for these vital but energy-intensive services".
At the end of last year, an Aberdeen leisure-facility boss warned the city's swimming pools could face the axe due to soaring energy costs.
Alistair Robertson, managing director of Sport Aberdeen, said the combined annual energy bill could more than double from £800,000 to £1.8million.
Facilities closing
Figures compiled by trade body UK Active show that, in the past year, 29 leisure centres, pools or gyms have closed temporarily or permanently because of rising energy prices.
More than 300 others have mitigated against higher bills, including by reducing their hours, increasing their fees or lowering pool temperatures.
The group asks the PM to reclassify swimming pools as energy intensive so they have access to a higher level of discount on prices.
It also wants ministers to set out what "tangible support" they will provide to the wider sector to help navigate the energy crisis, warning the current approach will have "incredibly-damaging consequences for our national health and prosperity".
A government spokesperson told the BBC: "We know our grassroots sports facilities are contending with increases in running costs.
"We provided an £18biliion package of support for organisations including clubs, pools, leisure centres, schools, charities and businesses through the winter.
"We made £1billion available to ensure the survival of sports and leisure sectors during the pandemic."