Green grant fuels sustainable improvements at leisure centre
Major changes to energy infrastructure are taking place as part of plans to create a net zero leisure centre in Newcastle town centre.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is pressing ahead with recommendations to decarbonise Jubilee2 – currently the highest carbon-emitting building in its estate due to high energy consumption – following a successful bid to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for funding of up to £2,790,173.
The grant, supplemented by capital funding, will enable the council to move away from gas and electricity produced by fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources that will provide heating, hot water and lighting to the large building, including two swimming pools.
The project, scheduled to start on site in March 2027 following design and tender stages, involves replacing boilers with an air source heat pump and acoustic fence – removing the need for gas entirely – and installing solar thermal technology which will reduce reliance on electricity. The changes are projected to reduce traditional energy usage by around 1,588,192 kwh a year, resulting in cheaper energy bills and saving almost 280 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
Cllr. David Hutchison, Cabinet member for Sustainable Environment, said:
The council is committed to ensuring that Newcastle-under-Lyme has a sustainable environmental future: its landmark Sustainable Environment Strategy includes a fully costed road map to net zero by 2030 for its own operations and estate, and details how it will also support the wider borough to do the same by 2050.
Jubilee2, like most leisure centres, uses a great deal of energy due to its function. It’s a priority site: because it requires the largest amount of capital funding to decarbonise, it will subsequently bring about the biggest reduction in direct carbon emissions from our buildings and services. It’s great news that we’ve gained this external funding; it will go a long way in helping to make it a net zero facility, while reducing pressure on the council’s capital works programme.”
Cllr. Craig Skelding, Cabinet member for Leisure, Culture and Heritage, added:
This project future proofs the popular facility in an age of rising energy costs, preserving it as an important facility which provides health and well-being facilities for residents and visitors.”
Other recommendations for improving Jubilee2’s carbon footprint include the introduction of LED lighting and a behaviour change programme.
The council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and has worked tirelessly to decarbonise its operations since. Most recently, solar panels were installed at Bradwell Crematorium’s chapel and offices, Keele Cemetery and Kidsgrove Town Hall’s offices.