Rushcliffe Borough Council’s (RBC) £1.2m investment in a decarbonisation and refurbishment project at Cotgrave Leisure Centre is underway, set to transform how its swimming pool and leisure features are heated.

It follows a significant milestone with the delivery of a new low-carbon air source heat pump unit, The Net Zero Pod, which will deliver an innovative and pioneering application of heat pump and green technology.

Once fully connected and operational later this month, the new plant room will use electricity from renewable sources to efficiently draw heat from the air and transfer it into the swimming pool and surrounding areas, resulting in 250% to 300% energy efficiency.

The Pod was designed and built off-site at contractor Leisure Energy’s Technology Centre and delivered to the leisure centre in its own acoustic container, enabling better quality control and ease of installation.

The decarbonisation of Cotgrave Leisure Centre is part-funded with £1.2m from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and is part of RBC’s £5.2m investment in Cotgrave and Keyworth leisure centres.

Alongside the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s investment, RBC received a further £250,000 in funding from the Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport through their Swimming Pool Support Fund, administered by Sport England, enabling solar panels to be installed on the roof at Cotgrave Leisure Centre.

The panels will generate up to 55,000 kWh of electricity a year, saving up to £25,000 on running costs – the equivalent of powering 20 houses.

The leisure centre is also benefiting from £110,000 in funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for refurbishments, which include:

• A new Changing Places toilet, enabling users with mobility challenges to change more easily.
• An improved toilet and reception layout.
• Widened corridors.
• An improved dedicated spin studio.
• A larger modern dance studio with improved lighting and sound systems.
• An updated and improved layout to the poolside changing rooms.

A new Changing Places toilet at Cotgrave Leisure Centre is now open, supported by a £50,000 grant from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).

Phase 1 of the refurbishment is due to be completed in December, with the corridor widened and improved activity and spin studios. Work will then move on to the poolside changing village in Phase 2.

The ambitious scheme is being delivered by Leisure Energy as the principal contractor, leading on decarbonisation, alongside their appointed subcontractor, JRD Design and Build, who are leading the refurbishment.

TSA Riley is providing RBC with project management and cost management services.

The centre is operated by RBC’s leisure provider, Lex Leisure, who are working closely with users to communicate changes.

Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, ICT, and Member Development, Cllr Jonathan Wheeler, said: “It’s very exciting to see works progressing on-site and reaching a significant milestone with the arrival of the Net Zero Pod, delivering pioneering green technology.

“This project is a great carbon clever example of how we are helping to reduce CO2 emissions and will go a long way towards achieving our environmental goals to operate as a carbon-neutral council by 2030.

“In total, we’re investing £5.2m in these refurbishments and energy-efficient upgrades over the next two years at Cotgrave and Keyworth leisure centres, which will enhance the quality and sustainability of the facilities for the community for future generations.”

Project Manager for Leisure Energy, Matt Jones, added: “We are pleased to be assisting Rushcliffe Borough Council with their carbon reduction goals through both the refurbishments within the leisure centre and the installation of the Net Zero Pod and solar panels, which will result in lower carbon emissions and help to ensure the longevity of the facility for the community.”

TSA Riley Project Manager, Abdul Alothman, said: “TSA Riley is proud to provide project management, cost consultancy, and Principal Designer services for Rushcliffe Borough Council’s decarbonisation project at Cotgrave Leisure Centre.

“The innovative Net Zero Pod and solar panel installations are key milestones in reducing carbon emissions and supporting the Council’s goal to operate as a carbon-neutral organisation by 2030.”

The solar panel installation funded by the Sport England Swimming Pool Support Fund has commenced at Wigston Pool and Fitness Centre in Oadby & Wigston Borough Council.
The Council received a £184,050 grant to install 373 solar panels at the facility operated by Everyone Active – SLM.

The press release from the council is below:

Earlier this year Oadby & Wigston Borough Council (OWBC) received a £184,050 grant from Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund to install 373 solar panels at Wigston Pool and Fitness Centre.

Work has now commenced on site at the leisure facility with Leisure Energy being appointed as Principal Contractor.

The installation is expected to complete in early 2025 and will reduce the carbon emissions at the centre by approximately 35 tonnes.

The Swimming Pool Support Fund was created by the Government due to the increase in energy costs over recent years at leisure facilities and with the intention of both helping keep pools open in the face of financial challenges, as well as funding longer-term projects to help reduce future energy bills.

The funding received by OWBC will assist in the council’s commitment to achieving their net zero targets, together with helping to fulfil their strategy of being a carbon conscious borough.

Cllr Bill Boulter, Chair of Service Delivery Committee at OWBC, said: “We’re thrilled to have received Sport England funding for this project and that the installation work can now get under way. This is an excellent next step for the council in creating a greener future as we work towards net zero.

“By self-generating a large portion of its electricity the centre will also see a substantial reduction in running costs, and become more resilient to fluctuations in energy prices, which in this economic climate offers significant protection to the services it offers.

“By building a more sustainable future this offer should continue to thrive, and Wigston Pool and Fitness Centre remain providing users with high quality services and programmes and excellent value for money.”

Holly Jarvis, Project Manager for Leisure Energy, said: “We are proud to be Oadby & Wigston’s partner for the installation of solar panels at Wigston Pool & Fitness Centre and assisting them with lowering their carbon emissions with the result that the facility will become more economically and environmentally sustainable.”

Peggy Lee, Group Sustainability Manager for Everyone Active who operate the centre, said: “It is great news to have more onsite renewable energy generation, which will further reduce the centre’s carbon footprint going forward. Everyone Active is proud to work alongside the Council in meeting their net zero ambitions, which is the most important part of our own net zero strategy.”

Sport England is administering the fund on behalf of the government and has provided an additional £20m of funding. Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director of Place, commented earlier in the year:

“Swimming pools and leisure centres are vital community resources and are enormously important in helping people to be physically active.

“Many pools have faced a real and significant threat to their survival this year, as local authorities and operators have battled the challenge of increased energy and wider costs, weakened reserves and difficulties with retaining staff.

“Sport England is proud of the role we’ve played in supporting these facilities through this difficult period.

“We hope today’s funding announcement will enable more public pools to improve their energy efficiency to be more environmentally and financially sustainable, so they remain available for future generations to enjoy.”

The solar panel installation at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre is underway in South Kesteven District Council. Funded by a grant of £399,000 via the Sport England Swimming Pool Support Fund. More information on the link below:

https://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/news/2024/energy-saving-solar-panels-installed-leisure-centre