SWIMMING pools in North Somerset are being heated in eco-friendly ways, thanks to millions in cash grants.
The first phase of improvements have been completed at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre in Weston-Super-Mare, with electric solar (PV) systems installed in a bid to save an estimated 28 tonnes of carbon a year, funded by Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund.
A second phase of works has also started following a successful application to the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS).
The grant – of £2,244,518 – will be used to replace six gas-powered boilers with air source heat pumps, removing any reliance on gas to heat the centre’s leisure facilities, which includes two swimming pools. It will also be used to upgrade the insulation throughout the building and replace radiators to make the building more efficient.
The PSDS-funded improvements, which will be completed by March, will make an annual estimated saving of 340 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
The works also follow £1.7m of investment by the council for urgent works to replace a substantial area of roof, poolside air-handling units, water storage tanks and the passenger lift.
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Elsewhere, Portishead Open Air Pool has nearly completed the installation of a PV system and solar thermal power, which will use solar power to heat the water and make a large impact on the energy usage of the facility.
The funding, from Sport England, was secured by the council on the pool’s behalf.
The council has also secured further funding from the Swimming Pool Support Fund for Strode Leisure Centre in Clevedon to provide covers for the two swimming pools and install a new energy efficient backwash system – one of a few across England Sport England are funding to understand the benefits of the new technology, which is estimated to provide a yearly energy saving of 31,758kWh along with 1357.2m3 of supply water.
Cllr Mike Solomon, the council’s cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “It’s fantastic that we’ve secured further funding to add energy saving technology to additional swimming pools.
“All of these projects will help in our goal to become a carbon neutral council by 2030.”
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