OVER £3 Million is set to be invested in a bid to ‘slash’ carbon emissions at two of Wychavon’s leisure centres.
The district council has been awarded more than £2.9 million from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to help deliver low carbon heat and power systems at Evesham and Pershore Leisure Centres.
Wychavon District Councillors have agreed to support the project with £400,000 of the council’s own money. The scheme is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and is delivered by Salix.
Air source heat pumps will replace the current heating and power systems at both centres. The existing pool hall air handling units will be replaced with in-built air source heat pumps.
Circulating (destratification) fans will also be installed alongside solar panels on the roofs of both sites.
The measures expect to cut Pershore Leisure Centre’s emissions by between 80 and 90 per cent. Evesham Leisure Centre is expected to see reductions in emissions of between 60 and 70 per cent.
In total around 700 tonnes of carbon emissions a year will be saved, helping Wychavon to meet its Intelligently Green Plan target to reduce its carbon emissions by at least 75 per cent by 2030.
Upgrades to the energy efficiency of Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre are being made as part of a separate £7 million upgrade previously approved by councillors.
They include the installation of solar panels and more energy efficient equipment to heat and clean the swimming pool.
Councillor Beverley Hardman, executive board member for boosting natural capital on the council, said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to secure this money from the Government to help reduce the carbon footprint of our leisure centres by making them more energy efficient.
“This will make a significant contribution to helping us meet our carbon reduction target while helping to increase the long-term sustainability of our leisure centres.”
Ian Rodger, director of programmes at Salix, said:
“We’re pleased to be able to work with Wychavon on its net zero journey and to transform these local leisure centres.
“The project will not only make these centres more energy efficient but will make them more comfortable places to enjoy as well as work in.”
