Decarbonisation and refurbishment works at Cotgrave Leisure Centre are set to commence this autumn as part of Rushcliffe Borough Council’s (RBC) £5.2m investment in Cotgrave and Keyworth leisure centres.
Main Points
- Major Investment in Leisure Centres: Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) is investing £5.2 million in the refurbishment and decarbonisation of Cotgrave and Keyworth Leisure Centres, with work beginning at Cotgrave this autumn.
- Decarbonisation Efforts: Cotgrave Leisure Centre will benefit from £1.2 million from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to replace old boilers with low-carbon Air Source Heat Pumps, significantly improving energy efficiency.
- Solar Panel Installation: An additional £250,000 from the Government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund will enable the installation of solar panels at Cotgrave Leisure Centre, generating up to 55,000 kWh annually and saving around £25,000 in running costs.
- Extensive Refurbishments: Cotgrave Leisure Centre will undergo significant refurbishments, including new and improved facilities such as a Changing Places toilet, an improved spin and dance studio, and modernized changing rooms, supported by £110,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
- Minimized Disruption During Works: While work is ongoing at Cotgrave Leisure Centre until Spring 2025, the centre will remain open, with some areas temporarily unavailable and certain activities moved to nearby centres to minimise disruption for users.
Keyworth Leisure Centre will receive a refit, essential roof repairs and investment in the pool filtration equipment with works expected to start next spring.
Along with the authority’s investment, RBC received £1.2m from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to help reduce the carbon emissions at Cotgrave Leisure Centre.
The funding will enable the replacement of boilers and outdated, inefficient heating and hot water systems with new modern, low carbon Air Source Heat Pumps.
Heat pump units will use electricity from renewable sources to efficiently draw heat from the air and transfer it into the swimming pool and surrounding areas, resulting in 250% to 300% energy efficiency.
RBC received a further £250,000 funding from the Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport through their Swimming Pool Support Fund, administered by Sport England, enabling solar panels to be installed on the roof at Cotgrave Leisure Centre.
The panels will generate up to 55,000 kwh of electricity a year saving up to £25,000 on running costs, the equivalent to running power for 20 houses.
Cotgrave Leisure Centre will also benefit from £110,000 funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for refurbishments, which include:
- A new changing places toilet enabling users with mobility challenges to change more easily
- An improved toilet and reception layout
- Widening corridors
- An improved dedicated spin studio
- Larger modern dance studio with improved lighting and sound systems
- Updated and improved layout to the poolside changing rooms.
The new Changing Places toilet at Cotgrave Leisure Centre is now open, supported by a £50,000 grant from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
Leisure Energy employed as the principal contractor will deliver the decarbonisation works alongside their appointed sub-contractor JRD Design and Build, who will lead on the refurbishment.
TSA, formerly Henry Riley Consultants Limited, is providing the RBC with project management and cost management services.
Both centres are operated by RBC’s leisure provider, Lex Leisure and will work closely with users to communicate any changes.
Works at Cotgrave Leisure Centre will commence in September 2024 and continue until Spring 2025. The centre will remain open and available for use by the public, however, there will be times when areas of the centre will be unavailable, and some activities may move to other nearby centres temporarily.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, ICT and Member Development Cllr Jonathan Wheeler said: “We’re committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our residents by providing high quality leisure provision and we’re pleased to see these further upgrades commence in autumn.
“The additional funding we’ve secured for decarbonisation and solar energy means we can make great strides towards our environmental goals to operate as a carbon neutral Council by 2030.
“In total we’re investing £5.2m in these refurbishments and energy efficient upgrades over the next two years, which will enhance the quality of the facilities for residents and visitors and increase its sustainability
“I would like to thank the previous Government for the funding we have received towards the refurbishment, which will make a huge difference to the community.”
Leisure Energy’s Strategic Director Mike Worsnop added: “We are delighted to be working with Rushcliffe Borough Council on the decarbonisation and refurbishment projects at Cotgrave and Keyworth leisure centres.
“The works will further assist RBC in moving towards their net zero goals and maintaining the facilities for future generations.
After several months of design and preparation, it’s exciting that we are now ready to start on site.”
JRD Design and Build Director Jordon Kemp said: “We are delighted to be appointed to work alongside Leisure Energy to deliver the refurbishment of Cotgrave leisure centre for RBC.
“We’ve successfully delivered many leisure centres refurbishments. Being locally based, Cotgrave provides that extra level of excitement to be improving these facilities for local residents.”
TSA Executive Director Chris Donachie added: “We’re pleased to be assisting with both Cost Consultancy and Project Management services on this project for RBC.
“The additional external funding has meant the council can provide an enhanced outcome for the residents.”
Lex Leisure Contract Manager Adam Groves said: “It is very exciting to see this project come together. We’ll work with Leisure Energy and JRD Design and Build to minimise disruption.
“I personally, can’t wait to welcome users into the fabulous refurbished, low energy centre and I’m confident users will agree the short-term disruption will be well worth it when they see the finished improved facilities.”
