28-05-2025
Cumbrian leisure centre installs 160kW solar system
Workington Leisure Centre has installed a 160kW solar panel system.
According to the council, the panels will provide around 20 per cent of the centre's total electricity demand.
The solar panels were funded by UK taxpayers via a grant administered by the Sport England Swimming Pool Support Fund, which is part of a national scheme that aims to improve the energy efficiency of public swimming pools across the UK.
The project was led by Cumberland Council, in collaboration with Day Cummins Ltd and Petit Singleton Associates Ltd, and delivered by Penrith-based solar installation specialists Love Solar Ltd.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council's executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: "This is a fantastic example of how targeted investment and strong partnerships can help us build a greener, more sustainable future for our communities.
"This installation not only contributes directly to our Carbon and Energy Management Plan, but also aligns with our wider commitment to tackling the climate emergency and building environmental resilience across Cumberland."
Tom Rice, partnership manager at Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), who operate Workington Leisure Centre and the Sands Centre, Carlisle, on behalf of Cumberland Council, said: "One of our key priorities is to futureproof leisure facilities across Cumberland and champion environmental resilience.
"We constantly strive to reduce the carbon footprint of our centres and utilise renewable energy as much as possible in a bid to decrease energy bills by lowering the centre's reliance on the national grid.
"These cost savings will be reinvested so that we can continue our ongoing programme of improvements to enhance the customer experience and offer the best possible leisure facilities for local people.
"Working collaboratively with partners, it supports the shared vision of building, creating and shaping sustainable communities."
In addition, £73,000 in taxpayer funding was secured from Sport England as part of the second phase of the Government's Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF) to improve energy efficiency at the Sands Centre, Carlisle.
The Sands Centre, as well as Wigton Baths, also received support through Sport England Capital funding from The National Lottery.
