Sustainable upgrades boost community engagement in public buildings
Funding creates better buildings with hopes that behavioural changes will follow in Crewe
Energy efficiency funding in Crewe will help bind communities together creating better facilities for people to enjoy, say council chiefs.
Cheshire East Council has successfully bid for a series of Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding which has allowed the authority to upgrade local public buildings making them more sustainable and comfortable places to visit.
Our Salix team visited the north west to have a look at how works in Crewe have progressed and how local people are already benefiting.
Peter Skates, the council’s acting executive director of place, said: “As we continue to develop and invest in Crewe, the community’s faith in its potential grows.
“The demand for larger, open spaces is clear, and it is our hope that the upcoming developments will not only meet this need but also prioritise energy efficiency.”
He believes that the work, especially at Crewe Lifestyle Centre in Moss Square will pull more people to the area.
He added: “Our goal is to craft an engaging experience that draws people to Crewe.
“We take pride in having established a durable legacy and contributing to the fight against climate change.”
As we continue to develop and invest in Crewe, the community’s faith in its potential grows.
The demand for larger, open spaces is clear, and it is our hope that the upcoming developments will not only meet this need but also prioritise energy efficiency.
Our goal is to craft an engaging experience that draws people to Crewe.
We take pride in having established a durable legacy and contributing to the fight against climate change.
As well as tackling climate change, the council’s vision to create a more sustainable future has enhanced the overall comfort of the buildings.
During our visit we were able to see how sustainable technology such as upgraded radiators, LED lighting, heat pumps, double glazing, roof insulation, solar panels, time switches and electric vehicle chargers are being used and installed.
When combined, these projects are estimated to save 1,700 tCO2 per annum, as well as provide significant benefits to the organisations, communities and individuals who use these buildings.
Mahdi Choudhury, corporate energy manager at Cheshire East Council, said: “These services are vital for the community. The electrification of heating, that’s the route that we’re taking.
“It’s a climate emergency, we need to act. Projects will get us some way, but more importantly, it’s a behavioural change that’s needed.”
These services are vital for the community. The electrification of heating, that’s the route that we’re taking.
It’s a climate emergency, we need to act. Projects will get us some way, but more importantly, it’s a behavioural change that’s needed.
Cheshire East Council aim to be a net zero borough-wide by 2045, supported by first achieving net zero through their own operations by 2027.
To support the ambitious works, the council has been awarded over £13 million through all phases of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme: Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3a, Phase 3b and Phase 3c.
Multiple technologies at Crewe Lifestyle Centre
One of the buildings which has benefited is the Cheshire East Council (CEC) owned Crewe Lifestyle Centre leisure facility. It’s a perfect example of a project that showcases how multiple technologies are improving the lives of Crewe’s residents.
Crewe Lifestyle Centre provides a number of care services in addition to traditional leisure and fitness facilities.
The aim behind Crewe Lifestyle Centre is clear from its motto: ‘Leisure for life’ – to focus and improve the health and lifestyle of the town’s residents.
Among the facilities provided, there is the adult care centre, the library, the sports hall, the gym, changing rooms with gym wheelchairs and two swimming pools.
The centre’s theme revolves around promoting a healthy lifestyle, emphasising that maintaining fitness and staying active can enhance life expectancy and lower the risk of serious diseases and illnesses.
Paul Cartright, assistant manager at Crewe Lifestyle Centre, said: “It’s not just about fitness, it’s about health and bringing communities together with the help of our improved facilities.
“The sports hall which hosts multiple competitions and the gym feel much warmer and brighter.
“More than one million residents use our facilities each year.
“We take pride in offering swimming lessons to toddlers as young as six months old. Our aim is to start them early and promote lifelong health.”
It’s not just about fitness, it’s about health and bringing communities together with the help of our improved facilities.
The sports hall which hosts multiple competitions and the gym feel much warmer and brighter.
More than one million residents use our facilities each year.
We take pride in offering swimming lessons to toddlers as young as six months old. Our aim is to start them early and promote lifelong health.
L-R Renia Kotynia (CEC), Sarah Cockerill (Salix), Paul Cartright (CEC) and Rebecca McNamara (Salix) outside the Crewe Lifestyle building.
Credit: Salix Finance
The Cheshire East Council is eager to continue progressing towards their net zero targets, aiming to lower energy costs and enhance the quality of life for residents.
About the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Launched in 2020, the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme was designed to deliver grant funding to the public sector for capital works to decarbonise buildings. Since 2020 we have delivered various phases of the scheme which is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
With Phase 4 expected to open for applications later this year, and we are delighted to continue delivering the scheme on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. For more information on Phase 4 Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, please visit our website.
