Appleby Leisure Centre set for eco-friendly upgrades with £388,000 funding
Decarbonisation project progresses at leisure centres in Westmorland and Furness
Appleby Leisure Centre will soon begin the next stage of its decarbonisation project with a £388,000 investment aimed at reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency.
This funding comes from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, complementing earlier improvements such as the installation of triple glazing and 190 solar panels.
The upcoming works will begin on the week starting 30th March and will involve replacing the existing gas boiler with an efficient air source heat pump, which is a vital part of Westmorland and Furness Council's efforts to achieve carbon net zero by 2037.
Alongside this, existing plant room pipes will be insulated to optimize energy usage.
The leisure centre's swimming pool will be closed from 30th March for about six weeks to allow these works to be conducted safely, while the gym and changing facilities will remain open.
A future short closure may be required for final connections, pending electricity supply arrangements.
Reduced parking will be available during the works, and visitors are encouraged to explore public transport options or alternative parking due to coinciding flood risk management projects in the area.
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, managed by Salix and overseen by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, is helping fund similar works at several other public buildings in the area including Kendal Leisure Centre and Kendal Market.
The council's investment will exceed £2 million thanks to matched funding from their capital maintenance budget.
This initiative is expected to save an estimated 343.2 tCO2e in annual carbon emissions across the region.
Greenwich Leisure Limited, which manages Appleby Leisure Centre, will provide updates to members and learning sessions will shift to alternative activity options for schools.
During the pool's closure, Appleby memberships are valid at other GLL centres like Penrith Leisure Centre and the Sands Centre in Carlisle, where sessions can be booked in various ways.
Cllr Giles Archibald emphasized the project's role in the council’s carbon management strategy aiming for net zero emissions by 2037.
Salix's Heather Jones praised the initiative's contribution to reducing fossil fuel dependency and enhancing community facilities.