Darlaston Swimming and Fitness Centre gets an energy efficiency make-over
Key information
Scheme:
Phase 3a Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Technologies used:
Air source heat pump, LED lighting, Solar PV
Region:
West Midlands
Client type:
Local authority
Thursday 07 March 2024
Estimated savings
£2.6m
Grant Value
420 tonnes
Annual carbon savings tCO2e
£3,000
Annual financial savings
Popular Walsall leisure centre sees 100% gas reduction following £2.6m grant
Thousands of people benefit weekly from a better environment at their local leisure centre, thanks to a £2.6m grant.
As well as being a better place to enjoy, socialise and keep fit, the Darlaston Swimming and Fitness Centre is now more energy efficient helping Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council reach its 2041 net zero goal.
The leisure centre, which has received Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding as part of Phase 3a Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, is a much valued part of the community which like many areas, has faced greater challenges since the coronavirus outbreak.
Walsall’s well-being hub
The site is popular among the local community, with many taking advantage of the discounted rates made possible by the Move It scheme
More than 450 children learn to swim at the centre each week as part of the Walsall Swim Academy, with an additional 800 individuals using the gym and swimming facilities.
Darlaston, Bilston and Chase swimming clubs use the facility for training sessions while eight local primary schools bring pupils to the centre for curriculum swimming lessons throughout the year.
Group Manager for Leisure, Bereavement and Commercial Services, Stuart Webb, emphasised the role of the leisure centre as a hub for health and wellbeing. He believes the centre has now been future-proofed.
Phase 3a of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding was the ideal solution for the replacement of the end-of-life gas boilers at Darlaston Swimming Pool.
“The project has safeguarded the future of an important community asset for years to come so that it can continue to help increase physical activity levels in an area of great need.”
Deficient to dependable
The centre features a 25m pool and learner pool, steam room, functional training area, and a newly refurbished air-conditioned gym.
Despite its healthy ethos, Darlaston’s facilities were previously powered by inefficient technologies that pumped harmful carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
Its gas-fired boilers were also on their last legs and failing to provide sufficient heating to the building.
The council used its £2.6m grant from Phase 3a Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to address this issue. The scheme is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by our teams at Salix.
The funding allowed for several energy efficiency upgrades including air source heat pumps, solar PV, LED lighting and building management system updates.
The centre has seen a 100% reduction in gas consumption as a result.
Members could witness an investment in the site and its legacy while being assured by the council that facilities would remain open throughout the project.
There was almost zero disruption to the site also as we kept the old boilers running as we introduced the new heat pumps.
“Our Salix relationship manager was very supportive and responsive throughout. Monthly reporting and funding claims were straightforward which allowed me to focus on project delivery.”
The council has further ambitions to upgrade inefficient lighting at the centre's football pitches. Energy costs are a significant fraction of the council’s budget, according to Stuart, so tackling this issue will result in savings that can be invested elsewhere.
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