Leisure World is proud to announce a significant investment of over £200,000 in energy and water-saving measures aimed at reducing operating costs and emissions. This initiative underscores our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
A substantial portion of the funding, £167,636, was secured from Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund. This grant has been instrumental in implementing several key improvements, including the installation of pool covers on the Fitness Pool, Dive Pit, and Teaching Pool. These covers are used at night to reduce heat loss and water evaporation, significantly saving on gas usage for heating the pool water. Additionally, ten energy-efficient motors have been installed to control ventilation across the building and the Leisure Pool wave machine. These motors operate at varying speeds based on demand, rather than running at full speed continuously, leading to substantial electricity savings. They have been shown to be delivering a 29% reduction in electricity use compared to the previous motors.
In addition to the grant from Sport England, the Council has invested £45,500 in an innovative water filtration system for the Fitness Pool. This system uses a small electric current and ultraviolet technology to separate dissolved waste products and eliminate bacteria from the water. The clean, warm water is then returned to the pool, reducing the need for heating and saving water that would otherwise go to the sewer system.
Collectively, these projects are estimated to save over £100,000 annually on utility bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the building by 85 tonnes.
Cllr Andrea Luxford Vaughan, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Environment and Sustainability, said: “This investment in energy efficiency at Leisure World is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. By implementing these innovative measures, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also achieving significant cost savings. This project exemplifies how we can work together with partners like Sport England to create a more sustainable future for our community.”
Page last reviewed: 24 April 2025