Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre is set to improve its sustainability efforts after successfully securing £242,000 of Swimming Pool Support Capital Funding from Sport England.

The project is being delivered in partnership between North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC), the Council's leisure partner Everyone Active and local renewable energy specialists Geo Green Power.

Geo Green Power has been appointed to design and install the solar panels, further strengthening the council and centre's commitment to sustainability.

With the secured funding, Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre will install an additional 427 solar panels, adding to the existing solar infrastructure at the centre.

This initiative is expected to generate significant cost savings of approximately £24,000 per year (at current utility rates) while reducing carbon emissions by 39 tonnes annually.

The fund aims to:

• Use less energy in leisure facilities to help them become more eco-friendly and financially stable
• Prevent the closure of swimming pools to maintain public leisure provision
• Lower carbon emissions in alignment with the UK Government's 'Net Zero by 2050' objectives
• Prioritise support for areas with the greatest socio-economic need, as identified by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) levels

Left to right: Jason Knight, Duncan Gibb, Councillor Michael Wyatt, Geo Green Power. Photo: NWLDC

Duncan Gibb, Everyone Active's contract manager, said: "It's great news that these investments will reduce the centre's carbon footprint going forward.

"Everyone Active is proud to work alongside North West Leicestershire District Council, as part of our Net Zero Strategy, to help achieve our company's Net Zero ambitions."

Kitty Cunningham, Operations Director at Geo Green Power said: "This is a fabulous installation for Geo Green Power to be a part of, and we are very excited to be able to help North West Leicestershire District Council and Everyone Active make progress towards their sustainability targets.

"When commissioned this system will save 39 tonnes of CO2 every year, the equivalent of taking eight petrol cars off the road.

Councillor Michael Wyatt. Photo: NWLDC

"This system of nearly 430 panels will take around two weeks to install. We regularly work on retail, leisure and hospitality projects and the site team will ensure that the centre remains open for business as usual throughout."

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change at NWLDC, said: "We are thrilled to have secured this vital funding, which will not only help reduce our energy costs but also make a meaningful contribution to our environmental targets.

"This supports the council's zero carbon aspirations, driving our commitment to a sustainable future for our community.

"By investing in renewable energy solutions like solar panels, we are ensuring the long-term sustainability of our leisure facilities for the benefit of our residents."