A project to make Appleby and Penrith Leisure Centres more energy efficient and sustainable has recently completed, thanks to funding from Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund.
At Penrith Leisure Centre, essential roofing repairs were carried out and additional solar photovoltaic (PV) panels were installed to help generate clean energy on-site, reducing both carbon emissions and operational costs. This directly supports the council’s Strategic Asset Management Strategy and Carbon Management Strategy and reflects their wider commitment to clean energy solutions.
Both centres benefitted from upgraded, high-performance triple-glazing for their swimming pool windows, marking a significant step toward a more energy-efficient future. The triple glazing has already made a noticeable difference to the centres, improving comfort for users and staff, reducing the time it takes to get up to temperature in the morning and minimising external noise.
The works at both centres will contribute to Westmorland and Furness Council’s ongoing programme of decarbonisation work in their drive to becoming net zero by 2037. From an operational perspective, these upgrades help cut energy use, reduce maintenance costs and provide a better experience for building users.
Cllr Andrew Jarvis, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, said:
“These works support key priorities in the Westmorland and Furness Council Plan, especially our commitment to sustainability, public wellbeing, and climate resilience and have the potential to bring financial savings to the council and our taxpayers. They also align with our clear pathway to decarbonising our buildings, set out in the Climate Action Plan, Carbon Management Strategy and Strategic Asset Management Strategy.”
“The completed works were part funded from our planned maintenance budget and by Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund, which aims to reduce the carbon footprint and running costs of public swimming facilities. We have been clear that we see investments in decarbonisation as both morally right and financial good management and we're incredibly grateful for this recent grant, which enabled us to deliver these energy and cost saving improvements.”
“I’d also like to thank the contractors involved in both projects. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to minimising disruption has been outstanding. It’s made a real difference to how smoothly the projects have run.”
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director – Place at Sport England added:
“Swimming pools and leisure centres are vital community resources and are enormously important in helping people to be physically active.”
“Sport England is proud of the role we play in supporting these facilities. The investment from the Government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund at Appleby and Penrith Leisure Centres will help improve energy efficiency and enable the centres to be more environmentally and financially sustainable so it remains available for future generations to enjoy.”
Phase 2 of the upgrade programme will begin this autumn at Appleby Leisure Centre, with solar PV being installed thanks to the Swimming Pool Support Fund and an air source heat pump funded through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
Barrow Park Leisure Centre has also benefited from a Sport England funded pool cover, to reduce heat loss overnight from the pool. Further decarbonisation works are also in the pipeline, with planning applications submitted for rooftop solar PV and an air source heat pump.
Kendal Leisure Centre has received further Public Sector Decarbonisation Funding, with works planned to improve energy performance. More details will be shared with the community closer to the time.
This next phase will continue the council’s mission to reduce emissions across their buildings and assets, making local leisure centres fit for the future.