Decarbonising leisure centres for a green future

THE ASPIRATION
Cutting carbon in energy-hungry leisure centres
West Northamptonshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Borough Council both set out to decarbonise their leisure centres as part of their commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2030. These facilities, with high energy demands from heating systems, pools and ventilation, relied heavily on gas, leading to high emissions and running costs. Each council needed expert support to design and implement energy-efficient upgrades while making the most of Salix funding.

OUR RESPONSE
Targeted decarbonisation strategies for each council
For West Northamptonshire Council, we provided a full decarbonisation strategy for leisure centres in Brackley, Daventry, Moulton and Towcester. Our team delivered multidisciplinary support, including Building Services Engineering, Structural Design and Town and Country Planning. We replaced gas-fired heating systems with low-temperature air source heat pumps (ASHPs) and optimised photovoltaic (PV) arrays to generate renewable energy on-site, cutting electricity costs. We also reinforced roofs for new equipment, designed external plant spaces and ensured smooth project delivery within funding deadlines.

In Telford and Wrekin, we focused on making Newport Swimming Pool more energy efficient. We replaced its old heating system with an ASHP, refurbished the pool tank and upgraded water filtration for better efficiency. Outdated ventilation and lighting systems were also modernised with energy-saving solutions. Throughout the project, we worked closely with the council to minimise disruption and ensure long-term sustainability.

THE RESULT
Energy savings and major carbon reduction
Across the five sites, we helped remove over 5.5MW of gas-powered heating, achieving up to 85% carbon reduction per site. The new systems provide reliable, low-carbon energy while keeping operational costs in check.

THE LASTING IMPACT
Helping councils reach Net Zero
Our work has set a strong foundation for both councils to reach their Net Zero targets. By delivering practical, future-proof solutions, we not only reduced emissions but also created cost-effective, energy-efficient facilities that will benefit communities for years to come.

Find out more about our multidisciplinary approach.