A multi-million pound project to eliminate onsite CO2 emissions generated by Salt Ayre Leisure Centre has been completed.
Lancaster City Council received £6.8million in funding from the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) to replace the leisure centre’s gas boilers with a two-stage heat pump system, external LED lighting and upgraded glazing to reduce energy consumption.
A solar farm has also been built on the adjacent disused landfill site at Salt Ayre to generate electricity, which will then be provided to the leisure centre using a direct wire. Comprising nearly 3,000 panels, the solar farm is capable of generating enough electricity to fully power the centre during peak times.
The work has reduced the council’s emissions from natural gas by 35%, and along with a new green energy tariff, means Salt Ayre is now one of the first leisure centres in the country to become carbon neutral.
Councillor Kevin Frea, deputy leader and cabinet member with responsibility for climate action, said: “As the biggest emitter of CO2 of all the council’s buildings it was vital that we tackled Salt Ayre as a priority and I’m delighted to see the project come to fruition.
“Along with the other projects we have in the pipeline, this scheme will go a long way in helping us meet our ambition of becoming net zero carbon by 2030.”
The city council declared a climate emergency in January 2019 and since then has made great strides in cutting its carbon emissions.
In addition to the work at Salt Ayre, around £1million from the PSDS is to be spent on improving the energy efficiency of its buildings.
Works will vary depending on the property but will include a mixture of LED lighting, air and ground source heat pumps, upgraded insulation, secondary glazing and solar PV.
Together it is estimated that these measures could save up to around 133 tonnes of CO2 each year from natural gas and reduce electricity consumption by as much as 231,000 kWh, equivalent to running 80 average homes for a full year.
The council has also committed itself to decarbonising its vehicle fleet and over the next four years plans to replace 52 vehicles with electric alternatives, with the aim of having a fully decarbonised fleet by 2030.
The photo shows Councillor Caroline Jackson (leader of Lancaster City Council), Mark Davies (chief executive), Margaret Greenall (Mayoress of Lancaster), Councillor Mike Greenall (Mayor of Lancaster), Elliott Grimshaw (project lead), Councillor Kevin Frea (deputy leader and cabinet member with responsibility for climate action), James Gough (North West Solar Ltd).
Multi-coloured art basketball court to be launched in Morecambe park
Lancaster man jailed for making indecent images of children after police find hidden laptop
Morecambe FC "continues to face serious financial pressures"
Councillor hits back at Lancaster MP saying potholes attack was "bizarre pantomime"
Lancaster and Morecambe employers sign up for Fair Work Charter
Furniture charity with warehouse in Morecambe announces closure
Council chief exec apologies for ‘teething problems’ during new bin collection roll out
Educators visit Cornwall site to help shape Eden Project Morecambe
Second date announced for Winter Gardens Eric Morecambe centenary show
Carnforth-based holiday park operator donates £100,000 to Lancaster hospice
Morecambe filling station remains closed as supermarket 'monitors stock levels'
Lancaster Music Co-op prepares £100k Arts Council bid to help overcome funding shortfall
Warning for patients in Lancaster and Morecambe district as resident doctors set to strike next week
Date announced for Morecambe Pride
LISTEN: Forces veterans to cycle between Carlisle and Morecambe football grounds
New plans for Morecambe trade park aim to attract local businesses
Lancaster University invites local groups to bid for share of £20K fund
Community rallies round as Lancaster charity building remains closed after wall collapse
Have your say on multi-million pound Lancaster City Museum revamp plans
New owners reveal plans after taking over popular Morecambe pub
