Major Energy Efficiency Improvements Set for Appleby and Penrith Leisure Centres
Swimming pools at two Cumbrian leisure centres will undergo partial closures as part of a £1 million initiative to enhance energy efficiency. The upgrades, funded by Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund, aim to make Appleby and Penrith Leisure Centres more sustainable and cost-effective.
Sustainability Upgrades Underway
Westmorland & Furness Council has secured funding to implement energy-saving measures, including the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and upgrading swimming pool windows to triple glazing at both facilities. The council is also investing additional funds to further improve the building structures, complementing the decarbonisation work and reducing overall energy usage and costs.
Enhancements at Appleby and Penrith Centres
Penrith Leisure Centre will undergo roofing maintenance and receive additional insulation to improve energy efficiency. Meanwhile, Appleby Leisure Centre will benefit from upgraded roofing insulation, and an automatic door closer will be installed to enhance heat retention.
Temporary Pool Closures and Adjusted Timings
To accommodate the renovations, swimming pools at both centres will experience partial closures for three weeks:
- Appleby Leisure Centre: From March 3, pools will operate from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM, closing during the day before reopening at 5:00 PM. Regular weekend schedules will remain unaffected.
- Penrith Leisure Centre: From March 10, pools will follow the same schedule as Appleby, ensuring minimal disruption for users.
All construction work is scheduled during weekdays to reduce inconvenience. Club activities will continue as usual on weekends, with minor adjustments on weekdays if necessary.
Alternative Facilities and Membership Flexibility
During the renovations at Penrith Leisure Centre, alternative changing facilities will be available via the dry-side changing rooms, ensuring continued pool access.
Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), which manages the leisure centres on behalf of the council, will notify pool membership holders and swimming lesson participants about any specific changes. Most Swim School lessons will remain unaffected due to evening and weekend availability, with GLL contacting impacted customers directly.
Additionally, schools will receive updates regarding alternative health and physical activity sessions.
To accommodate members, Penrith and Appleby leisure centre memberships will be valid at other GLL-managed Cumbria centres, including Kendal Leisure Centre, The Sands Centre in Carlisle, and Cockermouth Leisure Centre, ensuring uninterrupted access to facilities.
Extended Renovation Timeline and Carbon Savings
Following the completion of the triple glazing project, solar PV installations will commence on the sports hall roof at Penrith Leisure Centre, expected to take approximately 17 weeks. External scaffolding will be installed, which may temporarily impact access to some areas, but affected users will be informed in advance.
Once all phases of the project are completed, the combined energy-saving measures are expected to generate lifetime carbon savings of 1,625 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e). This reduction is comparable to removing over 460 long-haul flights from London to Hong Kong, contributing significantly to the region’s sustainability goals.
For further updates and details on the renovation project, visit News Xpress Online.
