Thousands of pounds a year are being saved after green energy work at Dronfield Sports Centre nears completion, using £1.33m funding received to de-carbonise the North East Derbyshire District Council owned centre.
The project has seen old gas-powered boilers replaced with air source heat pumps, and the installation of over 200 solar panels on the roof to offset 25% of the centres energy (which is already from renewable energy).
The Council secured funding for the project in 2022 from the government as part of its Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), delivered by Salix, and is the latest leisure centre run by the authority to be de-carbonised, following the recent success at Eckington Swimming Pool.
Cavity wall insulation has also been installed around Dronfield Sports Centre, reducing heat loss, and new energy efficient LED lighting has been fitted throughout the building.
District Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Cllr Jeremy Kenyon said, “It’s fantastic to be here today to see all the amazing work that has gone into delivering this project, which will massively reduce not just the carbon footprint of the centre, but also the running costs.
“Climate Change, saving money and saving energy are big concerns for our residents and this project demonstrates how seriously our authority is taking them. And at a time when leisure centres around the country are under threat of closure, our Council is investing to make sure these vital community facilities are sustainable and there for future generations.”.
Jake Helliwell, Programme Co-ordinator, from Salix Finance said: “We are delighted to be working with North East Derbyshire District Council on this exciting scheme. It’s very encouraging to see what a positive impact this will make on the leisure centre and everyone who uses it.
“As someone who is from the area and grew up using the centre, it is great to see the tangible changes now being made in response to the climate emergency.
“It will be transformational for the area and make a real difference to the users, we cannot wait to see the Council achieve its carbon savings.”