Work has started on a major project to save energy and reduce running costs at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre.
South Kesteven District Council earlier this year received a £399,000 grant from Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund to install an additional 574 solar panels at the centre.
The investment helps meet commitments in the South Kesteven Corporate Plan to tackle the challenge of climate change, and encourage sport and physical activity to support healthy lifestyles.
Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Rhys Baker, said: “We were delighted that our bid for this funding was successful.
“The Council is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of residents by providing them with the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities – and our leisure centres are a key part of this.”
The solar panel installation, which is expected to take three weeks to complete, will significantly reduce SKDCs carbon footprint and deliver long-term cost savings of more than £50,000 a year.
Leisure Energy have been appointed as Principal Contractor for the installation, and also assisted the Council in securing the funding.
The Swimming Pool Support Fund was established in recognition of significant challenges local authorities face nationally in continuing to operate public swimming facilities, as a result of the higher cost of utilities and pool chemicals.
The Council received a further £46,725 for pool covers to help to maintain the required temperature of the pool water and assist in reducing energy usage at the Meres.
Cllr Baker said: “Leisure and fitness activities can have a positive impact on people’s mental health and it’s important that we do all we can to ensure our facilities are up to the standard that users expect.”
Holly Jarvis, Project Manager for Leisure Energy, said: “We are pleased to be supporting South Kesteven in their commitment towards their net zero targets by carrying out the installation of the solar panels at the Grantham Meres Leisure Centre and also ensuring that the community will have a more sustainable leisure facility for future generations.”
When the grant was approved Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director – Place for Sport England, said: “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.
“Sport England is proud of the role we’ve played in supporting these facilities through this difficult period. We hope our funding 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.”
SKDC, through its company LeisureSK Ltd, is responsible for the leisure centres in Grantham, Stamford and Bourne.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Andrii
