Plans to decarbonise three leisure centres in East Suffolk are moving forward after the council secured a £2.8 million Government grant.
Along with an additional £2m from the authority, the Government money, given from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which is run by Salix on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the total £4.8m will go towards work at Leiston, Waterlane, and Deben (pictured) leisure centres.
Gas boilers will be replaced with air source heat pumps and there will be CO2 heat pumps for hot water in some locations.
Additionally, Deben Leisure Centre will be given a new roof and all three centres will get solar panel installations.
Cllr Sarah Whitelock, cabinet member for communities, culture, leisure and tourism, said: “This funding is a game-changer. It allows us to make real progress towards our environmental goals while continuing to invest in high-quality leisure facilities for our communities. We’re proud to be taking action that benefits both residents and the planet.”
Director of public sector decarbonisation for Salix Ian Rodger said: “It’s crucial we get to grips with carbon emissions if we are to reach our ambitious net zero targets set by UK Government.
“We are delighted to work with East Suffolk Council through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
“It’s clear that its leisure centres are the biggest single contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and this project will make a difference to not only the energy efficiency of the buildings but to the planet too.
“There is no time like the present to tackle our climate crisis.”
Work will be carried out over the next two years.
Image: Deben Leisure Centre by N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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