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An installation of 675 roof mounted photovoltaic solar panels has commenced at Middlesbrough’s Rainbow Leisure Centre.
The panels are funded via a grant of £459,400 from the second phase of Sport England’s £60 million Swimming Pool Support Fund.
Leisure Energy was appointed by the Council as Principal Designer and Principal Contractor on the project.
The installation is expected to complete later in the Spring 2025 and will reduce the carbon emissions at the centre by approximately 30 tonnes per annum producing 150,210 kWh of electricity per annum.
The Swimming Pool Support Fund was created by the Government due to the significant increases in energy costs over recent years at leisure facilities with the intention of both helping keep pools open in the face of financial challenges, as well as funding longer-term projects to help reduce future energy bills.
Sport England is the administrator of the fund and has also made £20m of lottery funding available to support the £40m provided by the Government.
The funding received by Middlesbrough Council will assist in the Council’s objective to reach net zero emissions by 2029 as a council, and by 2039 as a town.
Councillor Jan Ryles, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Adult Social Care & Public Health, said: “We’re committed to helping more people become more active, and our leisure centres play a key role in that ambition.
“As part of that approach we also have a responsibility to reduce our environmental impact as we strive towards a net zero future.
“These solar panels will play an important part in that journey, and I applaud this innovative and forward-looking initiative.”
Matt Jones, Project Manager for Leisure Energy, said “We are proud to be Middlesbrough Council’s principal contractor for the installation of solar panels at the Rainbow Leisure Centre and to be assisting them in their commitment towards a net zero Council, with the result that the facility becomes more economically and environmentally sustainable for future generations to use.”
Paul Ayre, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “It is great news that these investments will reduce the centre’s carbon footprint.
“Everyone Active is proud to work alongside Middlesbrough Council, as part of our Net Zero Strategy, to help achieve our company’s Net Zero ambitions.”
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director of Place at Sport England, said: “Swimming pools and leisure centres are vital community resources and are enormously important in helping people to be physically active.
“Many pools have faced a real and significant threat to their survival this year, as local authorities and operators have battled the challenge of increased energy and wider costs, weakened reserves and difficulties with retaining staff.
“Sport England is proud of the role we’ve played in supporting these facilities through this difficult period.
“We hope today’s funding announcement will enable more public pools to improve their energy efficiency to be more environmentally and financially sustainable, so they remain available for future generations to enjoy.”
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