The power of the sun will help a borough leisure centre save on its energy usage, thanks to funding successfully secured by Havant Borough Council and Horizon Leisure Trust.
Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF) has granted £196,572 of financial support for 400 solar panels that have been installed onto the roof of Waterlooville Leisure Centre.
The solar photovoltaic panels will improve the centres energy efficiency, helping save more than 106,000 kg of CO2 emissions annually (equivalent to planting 3,180 trees)
The panels are expected to generate an estimated 240,531KWh every year, which will help with the ongoing rise in energy costs.
The objectives of the SPSF and this partnership project are to:
- Reduce the energy consumption level of leisure facilities in receipt of funding
- Minimise the closure of swimming pool provision
- Reduce the carbon output of facilities in receipt of funding
- Prioritise support in those areas of greatest socio-economic need
Mike Lyons, CEO of Horizon Leisure, says: “This investment in solar energy is a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability. At Horizon Leisure, we are always looking for innovative ways to enhance our facilities while reducing our environmental impact. The installation of solar panels at Waterlooville Leisure Centre will not only cut carbon emissions but also help us manage rising energy costs, ensuring that we can continue providing accessible, high-quality leisure services for our community.
"We are incredibly grateful for the support from Sport England and Havant Borough Council, which enables us to future-proof our centres while staying true to our mission of improving the health and wellbeing of residents. This project reflects our dedication to creating a more sustainable future while keeping our facilities affordable and welcoming for everyone.”
Cabinet lead for Regeneration and Communities at Havant Borough Council, Councillor Gillian Harris added: "We made a commitment as part of our Corporate Strategy to decarbonise the council and its buildings and so I am very pleased that the funding awarded by Sport England has enabled Horizon Leisure Trust to become more environmentally and financially sustainable.
“These facilities are very important to our communities, so we must keep our leisure centres sustainable by making these upgrades whenever possible.
“The funding will help the centre become more environmentally and financially sustainable and enable Horizon Leisure’s continued work supporting residents to be physically active and improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing.”
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director – Place, 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, 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.”
With the Sports Minister Stuart Andrew also saying: “Millions of people swim every year in England, but high energy costs mean some pools are struggling financially. I know from personal experience the health benefits of getting down to your local pool, whether that’s just for a few lengths, to swim with friends, or a water aerobics class. This further £60 million of support from the Government and Sport England will make hundreds of swimming pools more energy efficient so they can keep offering their vital community and health benefits for generations to come.”
Since being installed two months ago Horizon Leisure Centre has already saved 1,410.87kg of CO2 emissions - the equivalent of planting 86 trees.