Press Release

25 March 2024

Fareham Leisure Centre to receive funding to improve energy efficiency

Fareham Borough Council is delighted to announce that it has been awarded funding through the government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund to provide energy improvements at Fareham Leisure Centre.

The Swimming Pool Support Fund, managed by Sport England, includes a total of £60 million, including £20 million in National Lottery funding, to improve the energy efficiency of public leisure facilities with swimming pools in England.

The Council put forward a bid for the funding of several carbon reduction measures including rooftop solar panels at Fareham Leisure Centre. Following assessment against set criteria and objectives, Sport England has awarded the Council a total of £672,400 for these energy improvements.

Councillor Sue Walker, Executive Member for Leisure and Community at Fareham Borough Council said: “The interest in this national funding has been significant, with over 700 applications, so I am delighted that Fareham Leisure Centre has received such a substantial amount.  This funding will not only help the centre continue to thrive, but it will also reduce the centre’s overall carbon footprint by 14% which is consistent with the Council’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030, so it is a fabulous outcome all round.”

Fareham Leisure Centre, managed by Everyone Active, benefitted from a significant £6.33 million refurbishment in 2021, but the building is over 40 years old and would greatly benefit from carbon reduction measures. The installation of solar panels will produce around 407,220 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year and, therefore, will reduce the centre’s carbon emissions from electricity use by 72%. A reduced reliance on National Grid electricity will also make the facility more financially sustainable with estimated annual savings of more than £122,000.

Ryan Grant, contract manager at Everyone Active, said: “We could not be more pleased that Fareham Leisure Centre will be benefitting from this funding for energy improvement measures. With an annual footfall of around 800,000, Fareham Leisure Centre is a really important local swimming pool, and these measures will help to protect the centre for Fareham residents long into the future.”

Sports Minister Stuart Andrew added: “Millions of people swim every year in England, but high energy costs mean some pools are struggling financially. I know from personal experience the health benefits of getting down to your local pool, whether that’s just for a few lengths, to swim with friends, or a water aerobics class. This further £60 million of support from the Government and Sport England will make hundreds of swimming pools more energy efficient so they can keep offering their vital community and health benefits for generations to come.”

You can find out about other Council-led environment improvements on the Council website: https://moderngov.fareham.gov.uk/documents/s37223/Appendix%20A%20-%20Farehams%20Greener%20Future.pdf

ENDS

For further information contact:

Customer Enquiries

Tel: 01329 236100
Email: customerservicecentre@fareham.gov.uk

Media Enquiries

The Communications Team
Tel: 01329 824310
Email: publicity@fareham.gov.uk
Fax: 01329 550576

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